Mosquito Infestation Drops in November, FEHD Continues Prevention Efforts Against Dengue and Chikungunya Fever

Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November remains at low level

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 10) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index (MGI) for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November was 0.9 per cent, lower than the 2.2 per cent recorded in October. This reflects the continued efforts by relevant government departments to intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations, resulting in the improvement of the overall mosquito infestation situation this month. In addition, the FEHD has strengthened the dissemination of information on the gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes so that more citizens can quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation. The department will continue its mosquito control work to further reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF) and dengue fever (DF).

In November, all 64 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) lower than the alert level of 20 per cent. The decreases in the MGI and the AGI are attributable to the continuous and intensified mosquito prevention and elimination operations by various government departments and stakeholders, and may also have been affected by factors such as weather. The monthly rainfall was 7.0 millimetres in November, showing a substantial decrease from the 31.2mm in October and 528.7mm in September. Overall, the MGI for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in November was 0.9 per cent, at Level 1 (indicating the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the survey areas was not extensive). Relevant departments and stakeholders will persistently intensify mosquito prevention and elimination operations.

Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in November was 1.1, which represented that an average of 1.1 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. Although the index remains at a low level, the breeding and activity of mosquitoes will not stop in winter. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts, and will conduct prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work.

The FEHD currently makes regular announcements on gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus on its webpage. To allow more citizens to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation, the FEHD has strengthened information dissemination by promptly announcing the latest gravidtrap indexes through press releases and social media.

In addition, to further reduce the risk of transmission of CF, the FEHD has extended the intensified mosquito control work, which was originally activated when the AGI reaches 20 per cent, to cover areas with the AGI falling between 10 and 20 per cent. Specifically, the FEHD will conduct detailed risk assessments in the areas concerned to identify locations with higher mosquito infestation risks and, in collaboration with relevant departments and stakeholders, conduct intensive and targeted mosquito control work. The FEHD will also notify nearby housing estates, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together to take mosquito prevention and elimination measures.

To reduce the risk of transmission of CF and DF, the FEHD continues to step up mosquito prevention and control measures across all districts and conduct vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations within a 250-metre radius of the residence of patients and the places patients had visited during the infectious period, including removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and carrying out 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.

The FEHD has continuously conducted a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The third phase of the territory-wide campaign was concluded on October 24. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD targeted areas that had drawn particular concern, such as public markets, cooked food centres, hawker bazaars, single-block buildings, streets and back lanes, common parts of buildings, village houses, construction sites, vacant sites and road works sites, to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. To further enhance the effectiveness of mosquito control, the FEHD and relevant government departments have carried out the second phase of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations since May 7. In addition to continuing the work of the first phase, including eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds, the FEHD urges private property management companies to attend to their premises as soon as possible to minimise mosquito breeding places and to begin eradicating adult mosquitoes by means of regular ultra-low volume fogging operations.

The FEHD appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF and CF. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. Furthermore, according to the WHO, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. Many countries worldwide experienced CF outbreaks this year, and as of September, over 440 000 cases had been reported in 40 countries/regions worldwide. The DF and CF activities in neighbouring areas have remained high. Members of the public should stay vigilant and continue to carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures.

Source: AI-found images

Recruitment under Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth Phase 9 starts today

The Government today (December 10) started recruitment under the Member Self-recommendation Scheme for Youth (MSSY) Phase 9. The application period will close on January 8, 2026.

A spokesman for the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB) said, "The MSSY is one of the key initiatives for youth development as set out in the Chief Executive's 2022 Policy Address and the Youth Development Blueprint. To engage more young people in public affairs and enhance their interaction with and trust in the Government, action has been taken to expand the MSSY, with a view to increasing the number of participating advisory committees from around 60 in 2022 to no less than 180 within the current term of the Government. At present, about 650 posts are held by young people who have been appointed to various advisory and statutory bodies of the Government, directly or indirectly, through the MSSY. The overall ratio of youth members in these bodies has increased from 7.8 per cent in end-2017 to 15.5 per cent in end-2024."

The MSSY has received an enthusiastic response since its launch. From the Pilot Scheme to Phase 8 of the MSSY, a total of about 14 000 applications have been received so far. The list of appointees has been uploaded to thewebsiteof the HYAB.

The MSSY Phase 9 is now open for application. The participating committees for the MSSY Phase 9 are as follows:

Sir David Trench Fund Committee

Standing Committee on Language Education and Research

Electrical Safety Advisory Committee

Food Wise Hong Kong Steering Committee

Coordinating Committee on Basic Competency Assessment and Assessment Literacy

Task Force on Promoting Web3 Development

Committee on Consumer Protection Policy, Trade Practices and Redress under the Consumer Council

Committee on Sustainability, Public Affairs and Education under the Consumer Council

Hong Kong Paralympians Fund Management Committee

Publicity and Promotion Committee under the Award Council of the Hong Kong Award for Young People

Working Group on Elder Abuse

Working Group on Publicity under Finance and Strategic Development Committee of Property Management Services Authority

Commission on Children

Green Tech Fund Assessment Committee

Committee on Community Support for Rehabilitated Offenders

Community Investment and Inclusion Fund Committee

Transport Advisory Committee

Transport Tribunals' Panel

Licensing Committee of the Estate Agents Authority

Professional Development Committee of the Estate Agents Authority

Practice and Examination Committee of the Estate Agents Authority

Disciplinary Committee of the Estate Agents Authority

Committee on the Promotion of Civic Education

Lantau Development Advisory Committee

Appeal Panel (Housing)

Vetting Committee of the Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund

Immigration Department Users'Committee

General Support Programme Vetting Committee

"There are 28 participating committees in Phase 9, covering a wider spectrum of policy areas. We encourage young people aged between 18 and 35 on January 8, 2026, i.e. the date of the application deadline, and with a commitment to serving the community to apply for the MSSY Phase 9," the spokesman continued.

The HYAB is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the MSSY. Assessment Panels (APs) will be formed under the 28 participating committees to handle the applications and conduct interviews. Each AP will comprise the respective official and/or non-official member(s) and representative(s) from the responsible bureaux/departments.

The APs will consider whether the applicant has a strong commitment to serving the community, a good understanding of the policy area concerned, and good analytical and communication skills. Following the principle of meritocracy, the Government aims to, through the MSSY, recruit young people who have the commitment to serving the community and the ability to contribute to the committees concerned, for recommending to the relevant B/Ds for consideration of appointment. In general, each participating committee will offer two seats for appointment. Subject to the actual number of applications received and assessment progress, assessment is expected to be completed around the third quarter of 2026.

The application form and other details of the MSSY Phase 9 are available on the website of the HYAB (www.hyab.gov.hk). When completing the application form, applicants are required to write no more than 600 words or provide avideo or audio clip of no longer than three minutes to account for, in either Chinese or English, their suitability for being appointed as a member of the selected committee(s).Applications may be submitted through the online application system, by post or by hand.

Source: AI-found images