Lucky Bamboos, Cherry Blossoms and Pussy Willows adorn many homes during this period and can bring you prosperity and luck for this Lunar New Year. However if the proper measures are not observed, these may turn into breeding grounds for the Aedes mosquito, increasing the risk of dengue fever.

NEA's Senior Assistant Director of Community Outreach Dr Pang Fung Yin explains: "Some of the plants like the lucky bamboo, may have eggs trapped in the roots. Thus, it is important to flush out potential mosquito larvae, other than changing water on alternate days. If this is not done, you'll find that mosquitoes can continue to breed. Some mosquito eggs can actually last for at least 6 months. In other words, if it is kept dry for 6 months, and water is then added, it can continue to develop into adult mosquito."