FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (December 24) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in December, covering 25 survey areas, as follows:
District
Survey Area
December 2025
First Phase Gravidtrap Index
First Phase Density Index
Eastern
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho
0.0%
N/A
Islands
Cheung Chau South
0.0%
N/A
Kowloon City
Lok Fu West
0.0%
N/A
North
Fanling
0.0%
N/A
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan Town
0.0%
N/A
District
Survey Area
December 2025
Area Gravidtrap Index
Area Density Index
Central and Western
Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun
0.0%
N/A
Sai Wan
0.0%
N/A
Southern
Pok Fu Lam
0.0%
N/A
Islands
Cheung Chau North
0.0%
N/A
Tung Chung
0.0%
N/A
Mong Kok
Mong Kok
0.0%
N/A
Sham Shui Po
Cheung Sha Wan
0.0%
N/A
Lai Chi Kok
0.0%
N/A
Wong Tai Sin
Wong Tai Sin West
0.0%
N/A
Ngau Chi Wan
0.0%
N/A
Sai Kung
Tseung Kwan O East
0.0%
N/A
Tseung Kwan O North
1.1%
1.0
Sai Kung Town
0.9%
1.0
Ngau Liu and Muk Min Shan
0.0%
N/A
Tai Po
Tai Po West
0.0%
N/A
Yuen Long
Yuen Long Town
0.0%
N/A
Tuen Mun
Tuen Mun North
0.8%
1.0
Tsuen Wan
Sheung Kwai Chung
0.0%
N/A
Kwai Tsing
Kwai Chung
0.0%
N/A
Lai King
0.0%
N/A
Among the fourth batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering five survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 20 survey areas in December, all were below 10 per cent, and most of the areas recorded zero per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.
The FEHD has so far released four batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in December 2025, covering 55 survey areas. Among these 55 survey areas, 52 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 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#).
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Photo source: reference image
Nine persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion", from December 21 to yesterday (December 23). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations, including food markets and performance and event venues. Six suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and two overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three men and three women, aged 18 to 58. A woman aged 43 was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.
The investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Additionally, alongside enforcement actions, ImmD officers, along with a publicity vehicle, were deployed to a newly inhabited housing estate in Sheung Shui. They distributed leaflets to residents handling move-in procedures and the property management staff. The officers urged residents to stand against employing illegal workers and reminded them that customers who knowingly engage service providers using illegal labour may also be subject to criminal liability.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. "
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) victims. When any TIP indicator is revealed in the initial screening, ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP elements, such as threats and coercion in the recruitment phase and the nature of exploitation. Identified TIP victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 3861 5000, by fax at 2824 1166, email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form at www.immd.gov.hk.
Nine persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Nine persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Nine persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
