Update on chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health announced that, as of 5pm today (February 3), no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded.
Latest surveillance data
---------------------------
Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. Last year, Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases. Among them, 11 were local cases, and the rest were imported cases.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of December 10, 2025, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths have been reported in over 40 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Although the northern hemisphere has entered the winter season, temperatures in subtropical and some temperate regions remain elevated due to climate change, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. In addition, CF outbreaks continue to occur in many countries worldwide. The risk of imported cases persists. Members of the public should check the situation of the destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.
Continuously strengthening prevention and control
---------------------------------------------------------
Given that some local cases of CF have visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails or the surrounding area in November last year, the trails are currently closed until further notice. Relevant government departments (including the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), Kwai Tsing District Office, Lands Department, Drainage Services Department, and Civil Engineering and Development Department) have been continuously conducting comprehensive mosquito control and environmental remediation work along the trails. Since the confirmation on December 10, 2025, of a case involving a person who had visited the Tsing Yi Nature Trails on November 30, 2025, no further local cases have been recorded to date.
The FEHD and relevant departments have comprehensively enhanced the mosquito control operations in Hong Kong since July last 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 cases, 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 to be taken by the public
----------------------------------------------------
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 theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for fourth quarter of 2025 and whole year of 2025
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (February 3).
The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the fourth quarter of 2025, provisionally estimated at $27.8 billion, increased by 0.9% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants increased by 2.5% to $9.1 billion.
After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts remained at a similar level in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with a year earlier.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the fourth quarter of 2025 with the fourth quarter of 2024, total receipts of Chinese restaurants increased by 0.3% in value, but decreased by 1.0% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 4.0% in value and 3.1% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops decreased by 0.4% in value and 1.7% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 1.5% in both value and volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 4.2% in value and 5.7% in volume.
Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.6% in value and 1.8% in volume in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the preceding quarter.
For 2025 as a whole, the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector was provisionally estimated at $109.6 billion, increased by 0.2% in value but decreased by 0.9% in volume compared with the whole year of 2024. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases of restaurants decreased by 0.3% to $35.0 billion.
Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the whole year of 2025 with the whole year of 2024, total receipts of Chinese restaurants decreased by 2.9% in value and 4.3% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants increased by 4.0% in value and 3.4% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 0.8% in value, but decreased by 0.6% in volume. Total receipts of bars increased by 1.7% in value and 0.5% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts decreased by 2.8% in value and 4.5% in volume.
To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector increased by 3.9%, decreased by 0.6% and decreased by 0.5% respectively in October, November and December 2025, compared with the corresponding months in 2024.
After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.6%, decreased by 1.8% and decreased by 1.5% respectively in October, November and December 2025, compared with the corresponding months in 2024.
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that the value of total restaurant receipts resumed an increase of 0.9% in the fourth quarter of 2025 over a year earlier. For 2025 as a whole, the value of total restaurant receipts rose back slightly.
Looking ahead, restaurant businesses should continue to be underpinned by improving local consumption sentiment, ongoing increase in employment earnings and sustained visible growth in inbound visitors.
Further information
Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the third quarter of 2025 as well as the provisional figures for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the third quarter of 2025 and the provisional indices for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the fourth quarter of 2025 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from March 20, 2026.
The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
More detailed statistics are given in the "Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases". Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; email: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
