The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced today (February 23) that relevant government departments have conducted mosquito control and environmental remediation along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Over the past month, the mosquito infestation level at the Tsing Yi Nature Trails has remained low. After a thorough evaluation, the CHP considered that the mosquito situation there was under control, and decided to reopen the Tsing Yi Nature Trails starting from this evening.  
 
Reopening of Tsing Yi Nature Trails
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     Given that five local cases of Chikungunya Fever (CF) had acquired the infection in the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or its surrounding area in late November last year, the CHP held a interdepartmental meeting in early December last year with representatives from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the Home Affairs Department, the Drainage Services Department, the Lands Department, and the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and announced the temporary closure of the trails to the public on December 9 last year to facilitate large-scale mosquito control and environmental remediation work by relevant government departments to minimise the mosquito infestation and safeguard public health.
 
     The last local CF case related to the Tsing Yi Nature Trails visited the trails on November 30, 2025. Subsequently, no other local cases have been recorded. The CHP's case tracing also confirmed that local cases infected along the trails did not further spread in the local community. The relevant transmission chain was interrupted. Over the past two months, the aforementioned government departments have conducted comprehensive environmental remediation and mosquito control along the trails. The trails stretch approximately seven kilometres, with various natural or man-made breeding grounds for vectors in the complex surroundings, including discarded containers left by hikers and workers, miscellaneous items and garbage that could collect water, and puddles on soil surfaces. The government departments concerned have conducted multiple inspections to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites and remove waste conducive to mosquito breeding. Intensive fogging operations continue to eliminate adult mosquitoes and mosquito trapping devices have been installed along the trails. At the same time, the FEHD has been monitoring the mosquito infestation levels using mosquito traps along the trails. Data recorded over the past month has remained at a low level.
 
     The CHP held another interdepartmental meeting today to assess the latest situation. After evaluating the current environmental hygiene of the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, the CHP believes that the Tsing Yi Nature Trails no longer pose a threat to public health. Therefore, the Tsing Yi Nature Trails will be reopened this evening. The FEHD will continue to enhance the vector surveillance at the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and in the surrounding area.

Mosquito preventive measures for the public
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     As of 5pm today, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. Last year, Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.

     In general, the natural environment in rural areas is more complex, making it easier for mosquito breeding sites to develop. Members of the public should refrain from discarding litter or containers that can accumulate water, such as plastic bottles or bags, while engaging in outdoor activities or hiking in rural areas. These items may lead to water accumulation and mosquito breeding. Furthermore, although the risk of Chikungunya virus transmission in Hong Kong has decreased, members of the public should stay vigilant against mosquito-borne diseases. Temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain high, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries/regions worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries/regions, and should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
 

• read the label instructions carefully first;
• apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
• apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

     The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
 
     The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.
 
     In view of the reduced risk of Chikungunya virus transmission in Hong Kong, the CHP will henceforth release the number of imported cases of mosquito-borne diseases (including dengue fever and CF) recorded over the preceding seven days every Friday. Monthly statistics on confirmed CF cases will also be uploaded to the "Number of notifiable infectious diseases by month" page of the CHP's website (www.chp.gov.hk/en/static/24012.html) in a timely manner.

Ends/Monday, February 23, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:16

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