November Gravidtrap Indexes for Aedes Albopictus Released: Low Mosquito Infestation Recorded Across 16 Areas

FEHD releases eighth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 5) released the eighth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in November, covering 16 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

November 2025

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Central and Admiralty

0.0%

N/A

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

0.0%

N/A

Islands

Cheung Chau South

1.5%

1.0

Cheung Chau North

0.0%

N/A

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui

0.0%

N/A

Tsim Sha Tsui East

1.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom

2.7%

1.0

Kai Tak North

1.3%

1.0

Wong Tai Sin

Wong Tai Sin Central

0.0%

N/A

Wong Tai Sin West

0.0%

N/A

Kwun Tong

Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping

0.8%

1.0

Sha Tin

Tai Wai

0.9%

1.0

Sha Tin East

0.0%

N/A

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun North

0.0%

N/A

So Kwun Wat

0.0%

N/A

Tsuen Wan

Ma Wan

4.1%

1.0

Among the eighth batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 16 survey areas in November, all were below 10 per cent.

The FEHD has so far released eight batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in November 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 50 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. October 2025, representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Fourteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

The eggs of Aedes albopictus can withstand long periods of desiccation and will hatch when the temperature becomes suitable and water is present. Members of the public should continue to take mosquito control measures during winter to eliminate mosquito eggs.

Public participation is crucial to the 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 collections 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 clear the water in saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;

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

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

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

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 has been disseminating 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 of 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

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming passenger was sentenced to 50 days' imprisonment and fined $1,000 by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (December 5) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted a 60-year-old incoming male passenger at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port yesterday (December 4). A total of 9 200 duty-not-paid cigarettes, with an estimated market value of about $41,000 and a duty potential of about $30,000, were seized from his personal baggage. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases