February Gravidtrap Index Shows Low Aedes Albopictus Presence Across Hong Kong, Encouraging Mosquito Control Efforts

FEHD releases second batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (February 11) released the second batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in February, covering 22 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

February 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Central and Western

Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun

0.0%

N/A

Eastern

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

0.0%

N/A

Southern

Pok Fu Lam

0.0%

N/A

Wan Chai

Happy Valley and Tai Hang

0.0%

N/A

Islands

Cheung Chau

0.0%

N/A

Tung Chung

0.0%

N/A

Kowloon City

Ho Man Tin

0.0%

N/A

Kowloon Tong

1.7%

1.0

Mong Kok

Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui

0.0%

N/A

Sham Shui Po

Cheung Sha Wan

0.0%

N/A

Wong Tai Sin

Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong

0.0%

N/A

Wong Tai Sin West

0.0%

N/A

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei

0.0%

N/A

North

Sheung Shui

0.0%

N/A

Sai Kung

Sai Kung Town

0.0%

N/A

Kwai Tsing

Kwai Chung West

0.0%

N/A

Lai King

0.0%

N/A

Tsuen Wan

Sheung Kwai Chung

0.0%

N/A

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun North

0.0%

N/A

Yuen Long

Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan

0.0%

N/A

Yuen Long Town

0.0%

N/A

District

Survey Area

February 2026

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Tai Po

Tai Po East

0.0%

N/A

Among the second batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 21 survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering one survey area in February, most of the areas recorded 0 per cent, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes was not extensive.

The FEHD has so far released two batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in February 2026, covering 48 survey areas. Among these 48 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. January 2026, representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Only one area recorded a slight increase, but the index was 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 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 chikungunya fever (CF) transmission.

Following recommendaions 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 (DF). 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#).

Photo source: reference image

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million

Hong Kong Customs detected two dangerous drugs cases in Hong Kong International Airport and Yau Ma Tei respectively on April 1 and yesterday (April 2), and seized a total of about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine and about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine with a total estimated market value of about $3.4 million. Two persons suspected to be connected with the cases were arrested.

In the first case, a 43-year-old male passenger arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand on April 1. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 3.1 kilograms of suspected ketamine concealed inside food packaging in his baggage. The man was subsequently arrested.

In the second case, during an anti-narcotics operation conducted in Yau Ma Tei on April 2, Customs officers intercepted a 41-year-old man and later escorted him to a hotel room nearby for a search and seized about 1.7 kilograms of suspected cocaine, about 1.7 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine, a drug inhaling apparatus and a batch of drug packaging paraphernalia. The man was subsequently arrested.

The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively and will appear at the Kwun Tong Magistrates' Courts tomorrow (April 4).

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not to participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people, nor to release their personal data or home address to others for receiving parcels or goods.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two dangerous drugs cases and seizes suspected drugs worth about $3.4 million Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases