The Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (August 1) met with trade representatives on mosquito and pest control matters, to share with them the latest situation of chikungunya fever (CF) and related counter measures and to strengthen co-operation among the Government, businesses and the community while encouraging various sectors to continue to adopt effective mosquito prevention and control measures so as to safeguard public health.
 
     The EEB has all along been concerned about the latest situation of CF and relevant preventive and control measures. The EEB has been collaborating with various government bureaux and departments and stakeholders of different trades to actively follow-up on mosquito prevention and control work. This morning, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, Assistant Director (Operations) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) Mr Peter Poon and representatives from related departments visited Po Lam Estate, Po Tsui Park and their nearby areas in Tseung Kwan O before the meeting, to inspect the enhanced efforts to prevent CF in the community.
 
     The survey area inspected today recorded gravidtrap indices reaching Level 3 alert level in May this year, indicating extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The FEHD has been collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to continuously strengthen mosquito prevention and control work in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and ensuring that mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations are operating properly. The gravidtrap indices for this survey area in June and July have dropped to Level 2.
 
     The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, together with representatives from the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the FEHD, met trade representatives this afternoon to brief them the latest situation of CF, the current situation in places outside Hong Kong, collaboration on disease prevention and control between the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as risk assessment of Hong Kong, control measures at boundary control points, emergency preparedness, publicity and education efforts, etc.
 
     The representative of the FEHD reported to the meeting the most updated situation of gravidtrap indices. As at July this year, the gravidtrap indices for Aedes albopictus in June was 9.5 per cent, which was lower than the same period in 2023 and 2024 (16.4 per cent and 14.0 per cent respectively), with the overall situation remained at a relatively low level. From January 1 to July 31 this year, the gravidtrap indices in seven surveyed areas were higher than 20 per cent, reaching Level 3 alert level, indicating extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Based on the latest gravidtrap Index for Aedes albopictus, the FEHD, together with relevant government departments and stakeholders, has implemented targeted mosquito prevention and control measures. They continuously strengthen efforts under their purview, primarily focusing on environmental management to reduce mosquito breeding sites, supplemented by biological and chemical methods to kill mosquito larvae or adult, as well as eliminating adult mosquitoes in their habitats (such as dense bushes) by conducting fogging operations. The FEHD also provides technical advice and guidance to reduce the number of Aedes albopictus in densely populated areas, thereby lowering the risk of diseases transmitted by these mosquitoes. The gravidtrap indices in the seven surveyed areas have also shown a decline.
 
     To prevent the spread of CF, the FEHD has actively implementing the following mosquito control measures:
 

• Convening special meetings of the inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to co-ordinate frontline departments and stakeholders to strengthen mosquito control, and to allocate resources to carry out targeted and sustained mosquito control actions based on the gravidtrap index and locations with higher risks;
• Enhancing inspections at construction sites, works areas and private residences. Enforcement actions will be taken against violations involving mosquito breeding;
• Collaborating with departments such as the Housing Department (HD) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department to strengthen inspections in public areas, public housing estates and parks. Upon detection of mosquito breeding grounds, immediate actions will be taken;
• Inviting the HD and property management companies to conduct mosquito control campaigns in housing estates and encourages resident participation;
• Working with the District Offices to assist in mosquito prevention and control at locations with infestation issues, such as "three-nil" buildings;
• Issuing letters to the property management and pest control industry to remind them the implementation of mosquito prevention and control measures, and organising seminars to disseminate the latest information on CF and mosquito prevention;
• Strengthening public education and publicity through promotional videos, posters and leaflets to remind the public to adopt mosquito control measures; and
• Enhancing dissemination of the Area Gravidtrap Index for Aedes albopictus to raise awareness among citizens in districts with higher readings.

     ​In addition to the introduction of effective mosquito prevention and control measures by the FEHD, Link and the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association also shared experience on mosquito prevention by slideshows. Participants will continue to motivate their members and staff to enhance mosquito prevention and control measures after the meeting, as well as to display the Government's publicity and education materials at their venues.
 
     Representatives from different sectors (including markets/licensed hawkers, property management, catering, construction, hotels and camping) presented mosquito prevention and control measures in the meeting, and expressed they will share the relevant information with other stakeholders.
 
     The effectiveness of mosquito control relies on the concerted efforts and active participation of stakeholders from various sectors, including pest control operators in both public and private sectors, venue management and the general public. The Government will continue to collaborate with stakeholders and the industry to prevent CF.
 
     The meeting, chaired by Miss Wong, was attended by representatives from 18 organisations or institutions, including:

(a) stakeholders participating regularly: The Hong Kong Housing Society, Link, People's Place, the Hong Kong Property Services Alliance, the Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies, the Hong Kong Association of Property Services Agents, the Hong Kong Institute of Housing, the Pest Control Personnel Association of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Pest Management Association, the Federation of Hong Kong, Kowloon, New Territories Hawker Associations, the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades, the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, the Institute of Dining Professionals, the Association of Restaurant Managers, the Hong Kong Japanese Food and Cuisine Association, the Hong Kong General Building Contractors Association; and
 
(b) stakeholders invited this time: The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, Camping Association of Hong Kong, China.

Ends/Friday, August 1, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:09

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