Chikungunya Fever and Rodent Control Measures Reviewed in 21st Pest Control Steering Committee Meeting

Pest Control Steering Committee reviews progress of preventive work against chikungunya fever and efforts in rodent control implemented by departments

The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC) held its 21st meeting today (November 28) to review the latest situation of chikungunya fever (CF) and coping measures. The PCSC also examined measures of departments on rodent prevention and discussed the use of Rodent Absence Rate (RAR) to help departments implement targeted measures to tackle rodent black spots.

Prevention and control of CF

Representative from the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) presented the latest local, Guangdong Province and global surveillance data and risk assessment. The representative of the CHP also reported the results of epidemiological investigation into several cases recently recorded among residents of Tsing Yi, which revealed that the patients’ activities during the incubation and infectious periods overlapped in Tsing Yi North, primarily around Tsing Yi town centre and the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. As some patients of the confirmed cases have reportedly been bitten by mosquitoes while hiking along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails, the CHP considers the trails to be an area with higher risk. As a precautionary measure, the CHP urged individuals who have hiked in the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area since November 1 to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the CHP's enquiry hotline (2125 2373). The CHP will assess symptomatic individuals and arrange blood tests if necessary.

In response to the cases recorded in Tsing Yi, follow-up actions have been taken by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), which include:

Upon receiving the CHP's notification, surveys of mosquito infestation will be initiated within 24 hours in areas within a 250-metre radius of the residence and workplace of the patient, as well as places the patient had visited during the incubation and infectious period. Relevant Government departments will be notified with the results for follow-up actions;

Implementing larvicidal control measures in the target area and conducting fogging operations in nearby adult mosquito habitats to eliminate adult mosquitoes;

Providing professional advice and technical support to relevant departments and stakeholders to assist in swiftly formulating and implementing effective mosquito control measures;

Inspecting construction sites and private residences, and taking enforcement actions against violations related to mosquito breeding;

Visiting schools and childcare facilities in the target area to provide information and assistance regarding mosquito prevention; and

Enhancing public education efforts through organising health talks, setting up mobile education stations, and distributing publicity leaflets.

Specifically targeting confirmed cases who visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, the FEHD has been conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the hiking trails to eliminate adult mosquitoes since November 13. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and robot dogs are being trialed to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has also set up new mosquito trapping devices, cleared discarded containers and garbage that could bring stagnant water, and applied larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. Pamphlets have been also distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations.

The FEHD has earlier requested the Kwai Tsing District Office, the District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trail.

The District Environmental Hygiene Superintendent (Kwai Tsing) of the FEHD also held a meeting of the inter-departmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts today, to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to coordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

In addition, in terms of the overall risk assessment, although the northern hemisphere is about to enter winter, some subtropical regions are still experiencing higher-than-normal temperatures due to climate change, creating suitable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, the outbreaks of CF in tropical regions are ongoing. Therefore, the risk of imported cases persists.

Representatives from the FEHD reported to the PCSC the latest situation of mosquito proliferation. The gravidtrap indices for Aedes albopictus for October 2025 was 2.2 per cent, lower than the 2.5 per cent recorded in September. In October, all 64 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. In addition, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in October was 1.2, which represented that an average of 1.2 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas.

Aedes albopictus eggs are resilient in cold and dry conditions, and upon exposure to suitable temperature and water, the eggs could still hatch into adult mosquitoes. To prevent the local transmission of CF, all government departments and the community must continue to maintain effective mosquito prevention and control measures in place during the winter season, ensuring the removal of potential breeding grounds and thorough clearance of mosquito eggs. In view of the situation at the Tsing Yi Nature Trail, relevant departments will also remind their staff to pay special attention to mosquito control efforts along hiking trails and similar areas.

Rodent control

The FEHD presented the results of its rodent activity surveys conducted in various districts during the first half of 2025. The findings indicated that the overall RAR was 96 per cent. Compared to the RAR recorded in the second half of 2024, 16 out of the 19 surveyed districts (approximately 84 per cent) showed an increase in their RAR, reflecting an improvement in rodent conditions.

In the meeting, the FEHD introduced how to effectively utilize the RAR data to formulate more targeted measures, further enhancing the effectiveness of rodent control efforts. In addition, the FEHD continues to carry out strategic rodent control actions in 93 major rodent black spots, reallocating resources to comprehensively and continuously mitigate the rodent infestation in the relevant black spots. It is estimated that the target of reducing the number of hotspots by 60 per cent can be achieved by the end of 2025.

In addition, the Housing Department (HD) and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) also reported in the meeting rodent prevention and control measures implemented in venues and areas under their purview.

In the meeting, the LCSD reported the latest rodent situation in San Po Kong Sitting-out Area. With the support from the FEHD, the LCSD will continue to implement rodent prevention and control measures. To date, a total of 23 rodents have been caught or found dead at the site. In addition, the LCSD is preparing enforcement actions against feeding of rodents and related acts that soil public areas in collaboration with other departments. Furthermore, the FEHD will shortly install thermal imaging cameras at the location to monitor rodent activity and assess the effectiveness of control measures. The site will also be included in the Rodent Activity Survey for 2026, in accordance with established criteria and priorities.

The effectiveness of prevention and control of rodents relies on the co-operation of stakeholders from various sectors. The Environment and Ecology Bureau will continue to co-ordinate the Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action to promote cross-sector, multidisciplinary and community involvement to comprehensively control rodent together. The FEHD launched the first phase of the Anti-rodent Charter (the Charter) targeting residential premises in December 31, 2024, to promote residents' awareness of environmental hygiene and encourage them to cultivate good habits for a rodent-free environment. As of November 25, 2025, 684 residential premises have signed the Charter, covering around 650 000 households. Among the residential premises, two are participants of the Pilot Scheme on Joint Property Management, covering more than 40 households. Other participants of the Pilot Scheme on Joint Property Management will be invited to sign the Charter when they are ready.

The Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology and the Chairperson of the PCSC, Miss Diane Wong, urged at the meeting all departments to closely monitor situation of mosquito proliferation in areas identified as high risk, and strengthen mosquito elimination work in areas under their purviews. Regarding rodent infestation, Miss Wong emphasised interdepartmental collaboration and public participation are important to combating rodent infestation. Various departments should proactively consolidate the rodent control work with various sectors and encourage the public to collaborate in rodent prevention and control actions.

The meeting today was chaired by Miss Diane Wong. Government bureaux, departments and organisations attending the meeting were the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Architectural Services Department; the Civil Engineering and Development Department; the Development Bureau; the Department of Health; the Drainage Services Department; the Education Bureau; the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department; the Environmental Protection Department; the FEHD; the Government Property Agency; the Hospital Authority; the Home Affairs Department; the HD; the Highways Department; the Lands Department; the LCSD; the Marine Department; and the Water Supplies Department.

Pest Control Steering Committee reviews progress of preventive work against chikungunya fever and efforts in rodent control implemented by departments Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Re-launch of Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works in New Territories Exempted Houses

Following the direction of earlier proposals, the Buildings Department (BD) announced today (April 1) the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme for Unauthorised Building Works (UBWs) in New Territories Exempted Houses (NTEHs). The reporting period will last for one year from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.

"In view of the history and unique circumstances of the NTEHs (commonly known as village houses), the Government launched a one-off administrative reporting scheme in 2012 as a special arrangement. Under the scheme, owners could report to the BD about UBWs that were erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law. The reporting period ended in December 2012. The Development Bureau (DEVB) put forward proposals to amend the Buildings Ordinance in December 2024, which included rationalising the policy for handling UBWs. The DEVB also pointed out that in response to the views of villagers and Legislative Council members that the reporting period was too short, the Government prepared to re-launch the Reporting Scheme to allow owners who at that time did not report their UBWs to do so," a spokesman for the BD said.

Relevant stakeholders and Legislative Council members generally considered the above proposals practical and feasible, and they welcomed the proposals. The DEVB and the BD have also consulted Heung Yee Kuk on the relevant implementation arrangements.

The re-launched Reporting Scheme will maintain the original criteria, including:

(1) The types of UBWs that can be reported and their erection dates are the same as the original Reporting Scheme, meaning that only UBWs erected before June 28, 2011, posed lower risks or constituted less serious contravention of the law and were not the First Round Targets (Note) are eligible. Examples include signboards projecting from the external walls of village houses; enclosed rooftop structures with a coverage of not more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area of the main building.

(2) Same as the original Reporting Scheme, owners are required to conduct safety inspections on the reported UBWs every five years.

"The BD will not require the immediate removal of the reported UBWs unless their structures become obviously dangerous. Regarding UBWs in village houses, the BD is prioritising the handling of First Round Targets. If any relevant UBWs remain not reported after the application deadline of March 31, 2027, the BD will, after dealing with the First Round Targets, take priority enforcement action against the non-reported UBWs. The BD will formulate enforcement strategy for the reported UBWs at a later stage in accordance with the risks and the actual situation," the spokesman added.

To enhance the efficiency of processing applications, reports must be submitted via the electronic platform on the BD's website by technically competent persons or registered professional engineers appointed by owners. In accordance with the user-pays principle, an administrative fee of $600 is payable for each application. Upon successful reports, owners must also pay the relevant administrative fee when conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years.

Details of the re-launched Reporting Scheme are available on the BD's website at https://www.bd.gov.hk/en/safety-inspection/ubw/UBW-in-new-territories-exempted-houses/index_relaunch_reporting_scheme.html; Villagers who wish to report can call 2626 1616 for enquiry. The BD will also use different channels such as distributing leaflets and posters to Rural Committees to enable villagers to know more about the re-launch of the Reporting Scheme.

Owners who had successfully participated in the Reporting Scheme in 2012 are not required to submit reports again. However, they must continue to comply with the requirements of the original Reporting Scheme, including conducting safety inspections of the reported UBWs every five years, submitting safety certificates and paying administrative fees to the BD.

Note: The First Round Targets refer to UBWs with higher potential risks and more serious nature, such as village houses of four storeys or more, and enclosed rooftop structures covering more than 50 per cent of the roofed-over area.

Source: AI-found images