Government continues to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education in view of imported chikungunya fever cases (with photos)
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Meetings of the inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts were held in July to formulate strategies and operations with relevant government departments and stakeholders. During today's visit, the EEB and the FEHD reminded all relevant departments to step up efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education amidst the recent rainy weather. In addition, the Panel on Food Safety and Environmental Hygiene will discuss preventive and control measures against mosquitoes and CF on August 12. The Government will take into consideration views from stakeholders and residents in its future measures. The FEHD and the Property Management Services Authority will jointly hold a large-scale seminar for the property management sector on August 19. The Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health and the FEHD will provide participants with the latest information on CF and details of measures on mosquito control and elimination.
Two of the imported cases announced yesterday travelled to Bangladesh and developed symptoms there. They returned to Hong Kong on August 3. Both patients live in Kwai Tsing District. The survey area in Tsing Yi North, where their residence is located, recorded a gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes of 15.5 per cent in July this year, which is at Level 2 alert level, indicating a fairly extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. In response to the imported cases, the FEHD has immediately commenced vector investigations and targeted mosquito control within 250-metre radius of their residence. Measures include removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and conducting ultra-low volume fogging operations in adult mosquito habitats such as densely wooded areas, dark and secluded places, and abandoned structures to eliminate adult mosquitoes. In addition, the FEHD, jointly with other stakeholders including the Housing Department, District Council members, Community Care Teams and property management companies, held a health talk this morning to answer the residents' enquiries.
The FEHD staff, representatives of housing estates, persons in charge of nearby hillside construction sites, and related pest control service contractors also provided detailed information on the actions taken and the ongoing work for mosquito control and prevention in public places, housing estates and construction sites. Furthermore, the FEHD convened a meeting of the inter-departmental task force on anti-mosquito work in Kwai Tsing District on July 28. Members of the task force include relevant departments and stakeholders and they will continue to collaborate and carry out related work.
The FEHD has also been closely monitoring mosquito infestation situations in various districts. The gravidtrap index in the survey area of Ma Wan in Tsuen Wan District was 24.4 per cent in July this year, reaching a Level 3 alert level, indicating an extensive distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. A meeting of the inter-departmental task force on anti-mosquito work in Tsuen Wan District was held by the FEHD on July 24. Members of the task force include relevant departments and stakeholders. Targeted and sustained mosquito prevention and control operations at high-risk locations have been carried out based on the gravidtrap index in Ma Wan at the time.
The EEB, the FEHD, the District Officer (Tsuen Wan), Mr Billy Au, representatives of related departments, housing estates, theme park, Rural Committees and community members have been conducting joint inspections in areas under their purview to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work. This includes 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. Various parties and residents are willing to co-operate and provide support. With the concerted efforts of all parties, the situation of mosquito infestation in the survey area improved in the second half of July compared to the first half.
In recent months, the district offices of FEHD continue to work closely with relevant departments and stakeholders to strengthen inspections, particularly targeting construction sites and locations with higher mosquito infestation risks. Actions include strengthening the clearance of stagnant water and the application of larvicides such as temephos sand granules to stagnant water cannot be cleared immediately, as well as conducting ultra-low volume fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes. Through publicity and educational work, the FEHD, relevant departments and stakeholders continue to appeal to members of the public to inspect and remove stagnant water at home to prevent and control mosquito infestation.
In addition to the inspections mentioned above, the FEHD staff, along with related departments and stakeholders, will conduct inspections at different places (including Southern District on Hong Kong Island and Kai Tak North in Kowloon City) today and tomorrow to follow up on related works.
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, to prevent CF.
Ends/Thursday, August 7, 2025
Issued at HKT 22:45
Issued at HKT 22:45
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