FEHD releases third batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (March 18) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in March, covering 19 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
March 2026 |
First Phase Gravidtrap Index |
First Phase Density Index |
Central and Western |
Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun |
3.7% |
1.0 |
Southern |
Pok Fu Lam |
0.0% |
N/A |
Tai Po |
Tai Po East |
0.0% |
N/A |
Kwai Tsing |
Kwai Chung West |
0.0% |
N/A |
District |
Survey Area |
March 2026 |
Area Gravidtrap Index |
Area Density Index |
Eastern |
Chai Wan |
0.8% |
1.0 |
North Point and Quarry Bay |
0.0% |
N/A |
Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho |
0.0% |
N/A |
Kwun Tong |
Kwun Tong Central |
0.0% |
N/A |
Mong Kok |
Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui |
0.0% |
N/A |
Sham Shui Po |
Lai Chi Kok |
0.0% |
N/A |
Wong Tai Sin |
Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong |
0.0% |
N/A |
North |
Sheung Shui |
0.0% |
N/A |
Sai Kung |
Tseung Kwan O East |
0.0% |
N/A |
Tseung Kwan O North |
1.1% |
1.0 |
Tseung Kwan O West |
0.0% |
N/A |
Sha Tin |
Ma On Shan |
1.6% |
1.0 |
Tsuen Wan |
Ma Wan and Sham Tseng |
0.9% |
1.0 |
Tsuen Wan Town |
0.0% |
N/A |
Tuen Mun |
Tuen Mun North |
0.0% |
N/A |
Among the third batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering four survey areas and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 15 survey areas in March, 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 three batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in March 2026, covering 32 survey areas. Among these 32 survey areas, 24 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. February 2026), representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Eight other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.
The warm and humid weather of spring is favourable for mosquito breeding. Members of the public should strengthen prevention work against mosquito breeding before the rainy season, and eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites in advance, with a view to avoiding the nuisances caused by rapid mosquito breeding during the rainy season and reducing the risk of transmitting mosquito-borne diseases.
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 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 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 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#).
Source: AI-found images
Unemployment and underemployment statistics for December 2025 - February 2026
According to the latest labour force statistics (i.e. provisional figures for December 2025 - February 2026) released today (March 18) by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD), the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% in November 2025 - January 2026 to 3.8% in December 2025 - February 2026. The underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.7% in the two periods.
Comparing December 2025 - February 2026 with November 2025 - January 2026, the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in many major economic sectors, with more distinct decreases observed in the retail sector, accommodation services sector, and foundation and superstructure sector. Movements in the underemployment rate in different industry sectors varied, but the magnitudes were generally not large.
Total employment decreased by around 2 900 from 3 665 900 in November 2025 - January 2026 to 3 663 000 in December 2025 - February 2026. Over the same period, the labour force also decreased by around 6 600 from 3 804 300 to 3 797 700.
The number of unemployed persons (not seasonally adjusted) decreased by around 3 700 from 138 400 in November 2025 - January 2026 to 134 700 in December 2025 - February 2026. Over the same period, the number of underemployed persons also decreased by around 1 700 from 65 100 to 63 400.
Commentary
Commenting on the latest unemployment figures, the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, said, "The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate edged down by 0.1 percentage point from the preceding three-month period to 3.8% in December 2025 - February 2026. Meanwhile, the underemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.7%. Over the same period, the labour force and total employment decreased slightly. The number of unemployed persons also decreased."
Looking ahead, Mr Chris Sun said, "The sustained growth momentum of the Hong Kong economy should continue to support the overall labour market, though employment situations in some local sectors may still face challenges due to their business performances. The Government will stay vigilant to the development of various external uncertainties, closely monitoring for any implication on corporate hiring sentiment in relevant sectors."
Further information
The unemployment and underemployment statistics were compiled from the findings of the continuous General Household Survey.
In the survey, the definitions used in measuring unemployment and underemployment follow closely those recommended by the International Labour Organization. The employed population covers all employers, self-employed persons, employees (including full-time, part-time, casual workers, etc.) and unpaid family workers. Unemployed persons by industry (or occupation) are classified according to their previous industry (or occupation).
The survey for December 2025 - February 2026 covered a sample of some 25 000 households or 67 000 persons, selected in accordance with a scientifically designed sampling scheme to represent the population of Hong Kong. Labour force statistics compiled from this sample represented the situation in the moving three-month period of December 2025 to February 2026.
Data on labour force characteristics were obtained from the survey by interviewing each member aged 15 or over in the sampled households.
Statistical tables on the latest labour force statistics can be downloaded at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode200.html). More detailed analysis of the labour force characteristics is given in the "Quarterly Report on General Household Survey" which is published four times a year. The latest issue of the report contains statistics for the quarter October - December 2025 while the next issue covering the quarter January - March 2026 will be available by end May 2026. Users can also browse and download this publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1050001&scode=200).
For enquiries about labour force statistics, please contact the General Household Survey Section (3) of the C&SD (Tel: 2887 5508 or email: ghs@censtatd.gov.hk).
Source: AI-found images
