In response to the first locally acquired case of chikungunya fever (CF) recorded yesterday (October 26), the Environment and Ecology Bureau convened the interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC) special meeting today (October 27), to urge relevant departments to strengthen anti-mosquito measures in the areas under their purviews. The district offices of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will also hold interdepartmental meetings at the district level to undergo risk assessment and conduct targeted measures.
      
     In the special meeting, the PCSC was briefed by the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health, the FEHD, the Home Affairs Department (HAD), the Housing Department (HD), etc. regarding the first local CF case, and discussed further measures to prevent CF from taking root locally and urged departments to strengthen mosquito elimination work in areas under their purviews.
      
Details of the local CF case
 
     Representatives from the CHP explained to the attendees the details of the local CF case and the CHP's risk assessment. As at October 26, Hong Kong has recorded a total of 47 CF cases this year, including one local case recorded yesterday and 46 imported cases. Except for one male patient with chronic diseases who passed away, the remaining cases were with mild symptoms. The CHP recorded the first local CF case on October 26. Given that the activity areas of the local case patient are primarily within Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin, the CHP cannot rule out the possibility that unidentified infected patient(s) in the area may have transmitted the virus to mosquitoes in the estate, leading to her infection.
      
     In light of the first local case, the CHP will initiate infection control measures together with various Government departments and relevant organisations, striving to prevent CF from taking root locally and minimise the public health impact of the disease in Hong Kong. This includes providing medical surveillance and health advice to household contacts of the case or those with common exposure to the source of infection. The CHP will arrange for laboratory testing if they presented with relevant symptoms. Besides carrying out questionnaire surveys, the CHP has set up a health consultation booth at 2/F, Fung Tak Shopping Centre, where assessments will be provided to residents with relevant symptoms from yesterday. The CHP has also set up an inquiry hotline (2125 2373) and conducted online and physical seminars.
      
     The CHP, together with the FEHD, have inspected various locations in the vicinity of patient's residence, conducted vector investigations and mosquito control operations to minimise the risk of local transmission. Furthermore, the CHP has issued letters to doctors, hospitals, schools and institutions, providing the latest information on CF and reminding them to stay vigilant.
 
Prevent the spread of CF

     In the meeting, the representative of the FEHD reported to the PCSC the situation of mosquito proliferation since the beginning of this year. The overall gravidtrap indices (GI) for Aedes albopictus from July to September 2025 (8.1 per cent in July, 5.3 per cent in August and 2.5 per cent in September) were below 10 per cent and remained at a relatively low level.
      
     The FEHD also reported to the PCSC the situation of mosquito infestation in the investigation area of the local case, as well as follow-up actions have been, or will be done, by the FEHD in response to the local case including:
 

• carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;
• carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and
• enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

     To prevent the spread of CF, the FEHD has been proactively implementing the following mosquito prevention and 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 GI 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 HD and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) 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 encourage 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. The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene today reminded the property management trade to properly carry out mosquito control measures in venues under their management;
• Strengthening inspections of schools and facilities for the elderly and children, reminding and assisting them in 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 GI for Aedes albopictus to raise awareness among citizens in districts with higher readings.

     During the Chung Yeung Festival period, the FEHD will enhance the cleaning and mosquito prevention efforts at public cemeteries and columbaria. The FEHD urged the public to co-operate by clearing stagnant water and refuse after tomb-sweeping to prevent mosquito breeding. Containers such as lunch boxes, drink cans, plastic bags and buckets for burning incense should also be removed. Furthermore, managers of private cemeteries have also been notified and urged to implement corresponding mosquito prevention measures.
      
     The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, and the Chairperson of the PCSC, Miss Diane Wong, urged at the meeting all departments to contact their stakeholders to initiate appropriate infection control measures with a view to preventing the further spread of CF. The FEHD also urged all departments to further strengthen anti-mosquito measures and carry out intensive mosquito control operations in areas under their purview. In additions, inspections will be conducted on a sampling basis, situations that worth concern will be reported to senior management, aiming to ensure that the mosquito infestation is properly addressed.
      
     The Government also urged members of the community to stay vigilant and carry out personal protective measures, as well as implement mosquito control measures at their household, work place and nearby environment, so as to prevent further transmission of CF.
      
     The meeting today was chaired by Miss Wong. Government bureaux, departments and organisations attending the meeting were the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Architectural Services Department; the Civil Engineering and Development Department; the Development Bureau; the Department of Health; the Drainage Services Department; the Education Bureau; the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department; the Environmental Protection Department; the FEHD; the Government Property Agency; the Hospital Authority; the HAD; the HD; the Highways Department; the Information Services Department; the Lands Department; the LCSD; the Marine Department; the Social Welfare Department and the Water Supplies Department.

Ends/Monday, October 27, 2025
Issued at HKT 20:20

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