Hong Kong Officials Enhance Mosquito Control Measures Amid Chikungunya Fever Concerns in Wong Tai Sin Area.

2025-10-27 22:44 Last Updated At：22:58

SEE inspects enhanced preventive work in Wong Tai Sin against chikungunya fever

The Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan, accompanied by the Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Donald Ng; Assistant Director (Operations) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Mr Tsoi Ka-wai, and representatives from relevant departments, inspected the enhanced preventive work against chikungunya fever (CF) in Fung Tak Estate in Wong Tai Sin and the surrounding area this afternoon (October 27).

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SEE inspects enhanced preventive work in Wong Tai Sin against chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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SEE inspects enhanced preventive work in Wong Tai Sin against chikungunya fever Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Mr Tse said Hong Kong recorded 18 locally acquired cases of dengue fever spread by mosquitoes in 2018. With the concerted mosquito prevention and control efforts by the government and various sectors, the transmission chain was successfully interrupted. He encouraged FEHD staff to intensify mosquito control measures to contain the spread of the CF.

FEHD officers briefed Mr Tse that the FEHD deployed officers today to inspect in the vicinity of the first local chikungunya fever case patient's residence and found mosquito breeding and stagnant water in a residential estate. As a result, they instituted a prosecution and issued a statutory notice to the relevant property management company in accordance with Section 27 of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), requiring the company's responsible person to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds. The FEHD also inspected nearby construction sites and found mosquito breeding and stagnant water, and hence instituted a prosecution and issued four statutory notices to the relevant contractors.

In addition, the FEHD has inspected schools, elderly homes, and childcare facilities in the surrounding area and has installed new mosquito traps in the relevant schools to further strengthen mosquito prevention and control.

Mr Tse said the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures. The Environment and Ecology Bureau convened the interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee special meeting to advise relevant departments to strengthen anti-mosquito measures in the areas under their purviews. The district offices of the FEHD will also hold interdepartmental meetings at the district level to undergo risk assessment and conduct targeted measures.

He appealed to members of the public to fully support and co-operate with the Government's work, including seeking medical advice or contacting the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health if they had a fever, rash or joint pain. Members of the public should also inspect their homes; property management personnel should also inspect public areas within buildings and housing estates, such as flower beds, refuse rooms, and rooftops, to thoroughly eliminate stagnant water, preventing mosquito breeding.

While attending a continuing professional development seminar held by the Property Management Services Authority today, Mr Ng called on the industry to work hand in hand with the Government to enhance mosquito prevention and control measures within their managed properties.

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.

Hong Kong Officials Enhance Mosquito Control Measures Amid Chikungunya Fever Concerns in Wong Tai Sin Area.

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