First Northbound Ambulance Transfer Drill Conducted in Greater Bay Area for Patient Care Integration

First northbound transfer drill for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA conducted smoothly

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, in collaboration with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, conducted the first northbound transfer drill for the Pilot Scheme for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in the Greater Bay Area (Pilot Scheme) today (February 10) to test the route and immigration arrangements under the simulated transfer of patients by cross-boundary ambulance from Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) to the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH).

During the drill, the Shenzhen ambulance departed from HKU-SZH and travelled to the designated Hong Kong sending hospital (i.e. QEH) via Shenzhen Bay Port to pick up the patient, and then transferred the patient back to HKU-SZH via the same port for treatment. The testing process was smooth.

In his 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive has announced that the HKSAR Government will, in collaboration with the governments of Guangdong and Macao, extend the cross-boundary ambulance transfer arrangements in an orderly manner, including the expansion to cover designated hospitals in Zhuhai and Nansha, as well as two-way transfers. The Pilot Scheme (southbound transfer) has been officially extended from Shenzhen and Macao to Zhuhai and Nansha since November 9, 2025.

The Secretary for Health, Professor Lo Chung-mau, said, "The successful conduction of the first northbound transfer drill from Hong Kong to Shenzhen by the government departments of Guangdong and Hong Kong has laid the foundation for extending the Pilot Scheme to a two-way transfer arrangement. The HKSAR Government will continue to maintain close communication and co-operation with relevant Mainland authorities, expecting to officially implement the two-way transfer of the direct cross-boundary ambulance transfer within the first quarter of this year. This will expedite the actualisation of a high degree of healthcare integration within the Greater Bay Area and promote the high-quality development of a 'Healthy Bay Area'."

The overall operation of the Pilot Scheme has been smooth since its implementation from November 30, 2024. The Pilot Scheme will be extended until November 29 this year, and subsequent arrangements will be announced at an appropriate juncture. To date, 23 patients have been transferred from designated sending hospitals in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Nansha, and Macao (i.e. HKU-SZH, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Nansha Division of the First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and Conde S. Januario Hospital of Macao) to designated public hospitals in Hong Kong for treatment. According to professional medical assessments, the patients concerned have a need for continuous hospitalisation for treatment. Their conditions were relatively stable, but they were unable to cross the boundary on their own and were unsuitable for transfer to an ambulance via the existing boundary control points.

Photo shows participating personnel simulating the transfer of a patient out of Queen Elizabeth Hospital to depart for University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows participating healthcare personnel of Hong Kong and Shenzhen simulating the handover of a patient at the beginning of the drill at Queen Elizabeth Hospital of Hong Kong. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Photo shows the Shenzhen cross-boundary ambulance used for the drill arriving at Queen Elizabeth Hospital of Hong Kong to prepare for simulating the transfer of a patient to University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

First northbound transfer drill for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA conducted smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

First northbound transfer drill for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA conducted smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

First northbound transfer drill for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA conducted smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

First northbound transfer drill for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA conducted smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

First northbound transfer drill for Direct Cross-boundary Ambulance Transfer in GBA conducted smoothly Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) released the fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

9.1%

1.4

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

6.7%

1.5

Tai Po

Tai Po East

2.2%

2.0

Tai Po West

15.5%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

9.1%

1.4

District

Survey Area

May 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

16.8%

1.3

Eastern

Chai Wan

15.4%

1.0

North Point and Quarry Bay

18.9%

1.4

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

20.8%

1.7

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

18.3%

1.4

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.9%

2.3

The fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May includes First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering six survey areas. Among which, six survey areas recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 per cent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District recorded a gravidtrap index above 20 per cent. Meanwhile, the gravidtrap indexes of six survey areas, namely Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have recorded a decrease as compared to the indexes recorded in the last survey period, reflecting the progress of relevant mosquito control work.

With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall recorded in April this year were higher than those in the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. With the increase in rainfall in May, the gravidtrap indexes are expected to rise further.

For survey areas which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. The FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractors following the discovery of mosquito breeding at construction sites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Moreover, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a construction site, a private housing estate, a clinic and a private premises in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has issued five statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

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 the 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 water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;

properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;

properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and

scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Starting in August 2025, 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 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 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, 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#).

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD releases fourth batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases