Government Intensifies Mosquito Control Efforts Amid Chikungunya Fever Cases in Hong Kong

2025-08-07 22:45 Last Updated At：08-08 00:33

Government continues to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education in view of imported chikungunya fever cases

To ensure effective implementation of measures reducing the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF), the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), together with relevant government departments and stakeholders, continue to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education. In response to the imported CF cases announced yesterday (August 6), the Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, and Assistant Director of the FEHD Mr Peter Poon today (August 7) visited several places, including the area outside of Mount Haven in Tsing Yi North, Kwai Tsing District, to review the immediate response measures in the area to reduce the risk of secondary spread of CF. They also visited Ma Wan in Tsuen Wan District to learn more about the specific follow-up actions of various government departments and stakeholders to mitigate mosquito infestation.

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Government continues to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education in view of imported chikungunya fever case Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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Government continues to strengthen efforts in mosquito control and elimination, publicity and education in view of imported chikungunya fever case Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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.

Six illegal workers and an employer arrested in Hong Kong's anti-illegal worker operation Contribute.

Seven persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Contribute" today (January 15).During the operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided premises under renovation in a newly built public housing estate in Sheung Shui district.A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. Thearrested suspected illegal workers comprise six men, aged 22 to 41. Furthermore, one man, aged 45, suspected of employing the illegal workers, was also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

Apart from mounting the enforcement operation, ImmD officers and a promotional vehicle have been deployed to distribute "Don't Employ Illegal Workers" leaflets and convey the message in the estate.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.

Government Intensifies Mosquito Control Efforts Amid Chikungunya Fever Cases in Hong Kong

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