FEHD Releases September Gravidtrap Indexes for Aedes Albopictus, Most Areas Show Low Mosquito Infestation Levels.

FEHD releases fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 23) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in September, covering 13 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

September 2025

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Islands

Cheung Chau South

0.0%

N/A

Cheung Chau North

2.9%

1.0

Sham Shui Po

Cheung Sha Wan

0.0%

N/A

Sham Shui Po East

3.8%

1.0

Wong Tai Sin

Ngau Chi Wan

9.1%

1.0

Sai Kung

Tseung Kwan O East

1.9%

1.0

Tseung Kwan O North

9.1%

1.0

District

Survey Area

September 2025

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Southern

Pokfulam

1.7%

1.0

Wong Tai Sin

Wong Tai Sin West

0.0%

N/A

Diamond Hill

0.9%

1.0

Sai Kung

Tseung Kwan O West

0.0%

N/A

Yuen Long

Yuen Long Town

0.9%

1.0

Tsuen Wan

Sheung Kwai Chung

1.8%

1.0

Among the fifth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering seven survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas in September, all were below 10 per cent.

The FEHD has so far released five batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in September 2025, covering 49 survey areas. Among these 49 survey areas, 40 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. August 2025, representing that the areas' mosquito infestation had improved or maintained a low level. Nine other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

Public participation is crucial to effective control of mosquito problems. The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to work together in strengthening personal mosquito control measures, including:

tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;

remove all unnecessary water collection and eliminate the sources;

check household items (those placed in outdoor and open areas in particular), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioner drip trays, and laundry racks to prevent stagnant water;

change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD will disseminate the relevant information through press releases, its website, and social media. It aims to allow members of the public to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation and strengthen mosquito control efforts, thereby reducing the risk of chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

Following the recommendations from the World Health Organization and taking into account the local situation in Hong Kong, the FEHD sets up gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne diseases have been recorded in the past, as well as in densely populated places such as housing estates, hospitals and schools to monitor the breeding and distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transmit CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has set up gravidtraps in 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, the FEHD will collect the gravidtraps once a week. After the first week of surveillance, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards inside the retrieved gravidtraps for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes, to compile the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the second week of surveillance, the FEHD will instantly check the glue boards for the presence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Data from the two weeks' surveillance will be combined to obtain the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures are available on the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

Source: AI-found images

Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 to be held this weekend

The "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026, organised by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), will be held at the Cyberport Arcade between 11am and 6pm this weekend (January 17 and 18). Admission is free. Members of the public are welcome to join the event with their dogs.

The Adoption Carnival aims to encourage members of the public who intend to keep pets, to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals, as well as promote responsible pet ownership. The co-organisers of the Carnival include Cheung Chau Animal Care, HK Saving Cat and Dog Association, Lifelong Animal Protection Charity, Paws United Charity, Society for Abandoned Animals, Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Team for Animals in Lantau South.

Members of the public can interact with dogs that are up for adoption at the Adoption Carnival. Dog keepers can apply for or renew licenses on site. The Carnival also features veterinary consultation services, a dog playground, a virtual reality gaming experience, game booths, an interactive educational exhibition, pet-themed handicraft workshops, as well as sharing sessions by representatives of animal welfare organisations (AWOs) and guest speakers. Participants are welcome to take part with their dogs. However, dogs entering the venue should be licensed (except for those to be licensed on-site), vaccinated against rabies, and microchipped. All dogs should also be kept under proper control.

The AFCD has been committed to encouraging members of the public who wish to keep pets to adopt abandoned or unclaimed animals through the AFCD's partnering AWOs. Upon receiving animals, the AFCD will transfer animals assessed by veterinarians as being in good health and suitable for adoption to partnering AWOs for adoption by members of the public. The AFCD provides free desexing operations for cats, dogs and rabbits adopted through partnering AWOs.

For details of the event, please visit the thematic website of the "Let's Go! The Pet Owners' Journey" Dog Adoption Carnival 2026 (www.petswithlove.com.hk).

Source: AI-found images