Elderly Spring Reception Celebrates Lunar New Year with Festive Lunch and Financial Support from Charitable Fund

SWD joins Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund to host spring reception for elderly

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the Management Committee of the Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund (the Fund) today (January 7) jointly hosted a spring reception for the elderly in celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year.

About 40 elderly persons received lai see packets and enjoyed performances as well as a festive and healthy lunch organised by the Fund today. The Director of Social Welfare (DSW), Miss Charmaine Lee, joined the advisors of the Fund, Mr Richard Tang and Mr Hamilton Ho, together with members of the Management Committee, at the event to wish the elderly persons a happy and healthy year ahead.

Speaking at the reception, Miss Lee commended the Fund for upholding the philanthropic spirit of the late entrepreneur Sir Tang Shiu-kin and the late banker Dr Tim Ho in promoting the venerable tradition of respecting the elderly and helping the disadvantaged over the years. The Fund approved $1.95 million for a total of 468 cases from April 2023 to October 2024 to provide emergency financial assistance to needy families and individuals to tide them over their difficulties.

Miss Lee expressed gratitude to the descendants of the founders, who have been serving as advisors of the Fund, for their devotion to the Fund's affairs and for their valuable insights offered on the management of the Fund. She is delighted to learn that the Fund has approved and earmarked a sum of $3 million for the SWD to disburse as social relief grants in the coming fiscal year for those in need.

Miss Lee said that many disadvantaged groups in the community are in need of assistance from different sectors in society. In recent years, the Government has been committed to uniting the efforts of the Government, the business sector and the community to enhance measures to help the underprivileged and the poor. She appealed to different sectors and the community to continue their support for the needy to build a harmonious and caring society.

The Fund, which was founded in 1977, appointed the DSW Incorporated as the trustee of the Fund in accordance with Chapter 1096 of the Laws of Hong Kong. Members of the Management Committee include descendants of the founders (advisors), prominent members of the community and representatives from relevant government departments, the Po Leung Kuk and Tung Wah Group of Hospitals. The objective is to provide timely financial assistance to needy individuals and families in emergency situations for which other sources may not be applicable or readily available. Recipients of the Fund include the unemployed, victims of disasters, the chronically ill, the disabled, single parent families and the elderly.

SWD joins Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund to host spring reception for elderly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SWD joins Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund to host spring reception for elderly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SWD joins Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund to host spring reception for elderly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SWD joins Tang Shiu Kin and Ho Tim Charitable Fund to host spring reception for elderly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (January 4), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.

Latest surveillance data

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Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries 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.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments continue to conduct large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, and the CHP appeals to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date. The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373), which operates from 9am to 6pm.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails and the surrounding area. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD has also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, 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 every week 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.

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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Members of the public 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 theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images