Mosquito Infestation Remains Low in December, FEHD Reports Gravidtrap Indexes for Aedes albopictus

FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 19) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in December, covering 26 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

December 2025

First PhaseGravidtrap Index

First PhaseDensity Index

Central and Western

Sai Wan

0.0%

N/A

Kwun Tong

Kowloon Bay

0.0%

N/A

District

Survey Area

December 2025

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Central and Admiralty

0.0%

N/A

Eastern

Chai Wan West

0.0%

N/A

North Point

0.0%

N/A

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

0.0%

N/A

Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay

0.0%

N/A

Wan Chai

Tin Hau

0.0%

N/A

Wan Chai North

0.0%

N/A

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui

0.0%

N/A

Tsim Sha Tsui East

1.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Kowloon City North

0.0%

N/A

Kai Tak North

1.4%

1.0

Wong Tai Sin

Wong Tai Sin Central

0.0%

N/A

Diamond Hill

0.0%

N/A

Kwun Tong

Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping

0.0%

N/A

Sha Tin

Tai Wai

0.0%

N/A

Sha Tin East

0.0%

N/A

Ma On Shan

0.8%

1.0

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

0.0%

N/A

Tai Po

Tai Po East

0.0%

N/A

Yuen Long

Tin Shui Wai

0.0%

N/A

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

0.0%

N/A

Tuen Mun West

0.0%

N/A

So Kwun Wat

0.9%

1.0

Tsuen Wan

Ma Wan

0.0%

N/A

Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering two survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 24 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent and most of the areas recorded a zero per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.

The FEHD has so far released three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December 2025, covering 50 survey areas. Among these 50 survey areas, 47 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. November 2025, representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Three 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

Appointments to Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee announced

The Government announced today (December 19) that the Chief Executive has appointed Mr Frederick Lam Tin-fuk and Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen as non-official members of the Honours and Non-official Justices of the Peace Selection Committee.

The Chief Executive has also reappointed Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, Mr Martin Liao Cheung-kong, Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi, Mr Chan Kin-por, Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har, Mr Stanley Ng Chau-pei, and Mr Tam Yiu-chung as non-official members.

"All non-official members will serve for a one-year term, from January 1 to December 31, 2026," a Government spokesman said.

Mrs Laura Cha Shih May-lung and Mr Chow Chung-kong, serving members of the Selection Committee, will retire on December 31, 2025.

"We wish to express our gratitude to Mrs Cha and Mr Chow for their invaluable advice rendered to the Selection Committee during their term of office," the spokesman said.

The Selection Committee is tasked to consider nominations for various honours as well as for the appointment of Non-official Justices of the Peace (JPs) and make recommendations to the Chief Executive.

Honours and awards are awarded to individuals in recognition of their significant contribution to Hong Kong or dedicated public and community service. The appointment of JPs is governed by the Justices of the Peace Ordinance (Cap. 510). JPs are required to perform certain functions, including visiting custodial institutions or detention centres, to ensure that such facilities are effectively managed and that no inmate is unfairly treated or deprived of his or her rights.

The annual Honours List and the list of new JP appointments are normally published in the Government Gazette on the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day (July 1).

The Selection Committee is chaired by the Chief Secretary for Administration. Other official members include the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission, and the Director of the Chief Executive's Office.

The Selection Committee's full membership for the new term is as follows:

Chairman

----------

Chief Secretary for Administration

Non-official members

------------------------

Mrs Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee

Mr Martin Liao Cheung-kong

Dr Moses Cheng Mo-chi

Mr Chan Kin-por

Dr Eliza Chan Ching-har

Mr Stanley Ng Chau-pei

Mr Tam Yiu-chung

Mr Frederick Lam Tin-fuk

Ms Agnes Chan Sui-kuen

Official members

-------------------

Financial Secretary

Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs

Chairman, Public Service Commission

Director, Chief Executive's Office