No New Chikungunya Cases in Hong Kong; Tsing Yi Trails Closed for Mosquito Control Efforts

Update on chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (December 14), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 79 confirmed CF cases this year. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.

Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, the trails are currently closed until further notice. As the CHP and the relevant government departments are conducting large-scale mosquito control and prevention efforts along the trails, the CHP continues to appeal to the public not to enter the area in order to reduce the risk of contracting CF and to avoid exposure to chemicals or interfering with the mosquito control operations.

Government's comprehensive follow-up actions

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The CHP continues to urge individuals who have recently hiked along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails to seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop relevant symptoms and to call the enquiry hotline (Tel: 2125 2373). All doctors and hospitals in Hong Kong should closely monitor whether their patients present with compatible symptoms and arrange blood tests for those concerned. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch will provide free testing services.

Specifically targeting confirmed cases who visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has been continuously conducting intensive fogging operations to eliminate adult mosquitoes along the hiking trails. At suitable locations, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed, and a robot dog is being put on trial 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. The FEHD has been collaborating with the Kwai Tsing District Office, the Lands Department and the Drainage Services Department to strengthen efforts in eliminating potential mosquito breeding sites along the Tsing Yi Nature Trails. Pamphlets have been distributed to hikers in the area, urging citizens to be vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures. The FEHD also held meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work across districts, to discuss the latest developments regarding the situation and plan accordingly to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders in strengthening mosquito prevention and control measures in areas under their purview.

Continuously strengthening prevention and control

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TheFEHDand relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July this year, and this has continued. Among these, the FEHD has conducted vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations against the imported and local cases. In light of the local case, the FEHD has immediately conducted follow-up actions, including:

• carrying out intensive fogging in scrubby areas within a 250-metre radius of the relevant locations to kill adult mosquitoes;

• carrying out inspections of the locations, removing stagnant water, applying insecticides and disposing of abandoned water containers every week with a view to preventing mosquito breeding; and

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

The abovementioned measures will be continued. Furthermore, the Government will further enhance the mosquito control efforts in addition to the existing measures.

Preventive measures taken by the public

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Members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

• read the label instructions carefully first;

• apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;

• apply on exposed skin and clothing;

• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);

• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;

• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and

• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The FEHD also 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, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies 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.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.

Tsing Yi Nature Trails, Photo source: rednote

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines

The Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) jointly launched the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines (HKNbSDG) today (March 3). The HKNbSDG aims to provide practical planning and design guidelines for infrastructure and development projects. It promotes the application of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to address societal challenges through actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems, striking a balance between development and nature conservation while enhancing Hong Kong's climate resilience and driving sustainable development.

With reference to the global standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature as well as relevant overseas, Mainland and local guidelines, the HKNbSDG proposes three core principles: (1) promoting ecosystem diversity at multiple scales; (2) embracing human-nature coexistence for mutual benefits; and (3) improving resilience through NbS. Factoring in the characteristics of Hong Kong's natural ecology and urban development, it provides clear guidance and local case studies to enable engineering teams to seamlessly integrate NbS into their workflows.

Speaking at the promulgation ceremony, the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, said that NbS is crucial for realising the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature. The Hong Kong Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2035, announced by the Environment and Ecology Bureau late last year, proposed the widespread application of NbS to provide practical, effective and forward-looking solutions for urban planning, design and development, thereby addressing various urban challenges while strengthening ecological conservation. She pointed out that Hong Kong possesses a vast network of ecological protection areas in close proximity to urban areas, along with a rich pool of relevant professional talent and institutions, which will help facilitate the further development of NbS.

In his address, the Under Secretary for Development, Mr David Lam, said that NbS is not new to Hong Kong. Over recent years, works departments have championed "blue-green infrastructure", built functional "urban mini-forests" and eco-shorelines, and utilised vegetation to maintain natural hill slope stability. To scale up these successful experiences, the Government must integrate individual pilot applications into a structured, mainstreamed approach, hence the necessity of formulating the HKNbSDG. The Northern Metropolis presents a timely opportunity to actively integrate urban development with ecological conservation through NbS.

In the planning and development of the Northern Metropolis, the Government will strive to incorporate the design principles of the HKNbSDG to enhance climate resilience and promote biodiversity. Among these projects, the planning and design of the San Tin Technopole will draw on the HKNbSDG to introduce various NbS, achieving the vision of coexistence of development and conservation, as well as harmony between humans and nature.

The HKNbSDG has been uploaded to the websites of the CEDD (www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/publications/miscellaneous/nm-santintech/index.html) and the AFCD (www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conservation/Con_hkbsap/bsap_resources_references/bsap_resources_references.html).

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

CEDD and AFCD jointly launch Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases