Mosquito Index Remains Low in March as FEHD Intensifies Prevention Efforts Against Aedes albopictus.

Monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes for March remains at lowest level

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (April 10) announced that the monthly gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in March was 0.5 per cent. The index in March remained at the lowest Level 1, indicating that the distribution of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes in the areas surveyed was not extensive.

In March, all 62 survey areas recorded an area gravidtrap index (AGI) lower than 10 per cent, and more than half of the areas recorded zero per cent. Moreover, the monthly density index for Aedes albopictus in March was 1.1, which represented that an average of 1.1 Aedes albopictus was found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, indicating that the number of adult Aedes albopictus was not abundant in the survey areas. The gravidtrap and density indices for Aedes albopictus in different survey areas, as well as information on mosquito prevention and control measures, are available on the department website at www.fehd.gov.hk.

A spokesman for the FEHD said, "The FEHD has continued to intensify mosquito prevention and control work with relevant government departments in areas under their purview, including eliminating mosquito breeding places, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at suitable locations. The FEHD has also provided government departments with professional advice and technical support to assist them in swiftly formulating and implementing effective anti-mosquito measures while strengthening publicity and education at the same time. Under the concerted efforts and collaboration of various parties, the index in March remained at a low level. Nevertheless, the warm and humid weather of spring is favourable for mosquito breeding. The FEHD will continue to monitor the mosquito infestation in all districts and will carry out prompt and effective mosquito prevention and control work."

The FEHD continues to conduct a three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign this year. The first phase of the territory-wide campaign ended on March 20. The second phase will be launched from April 13 and run until June 12. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD will target residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo working areas, land boundary control points, typhoon shelters and cross-boundary ferry terminals to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. Furthermore, the first phase of All-out Anti-mosquito Operations of this year began on March 25. The FEHD will continue to collaborate with relevant departments to eliminate potential mosquito breeding sites before the rainy season in order to allow sufficient time for environmental and structure improvement works. The FEHD appeals to property management agents to continue actively participating in the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations.

The FEHD currently makes regular announcements on gravidtrap indices for Aedes albopictus on its webpage. To allow more citizens to quickly grasp the mosquito infestation situation, the FEHD has strengthened information dissemination by promptly announcing the latest gravidtrap indices through press releases and social media.

In addition, to further reduce the risk of transmission of chikungunya fever (CF), the FEHD has extended its intensified mosquito control work, which was originally activated when the AGI reaches 20 per cent, to cover areas with the AGI falling between 10 and 20 per cent. Specifically, the FEHD will conduct detailed risk assessments in the areas concerned to identify locations with higher mosquito infestation risks and, in collaboration with relevant departments and stakeholders, conduct intensive and targeted mosquito control work. The FEHD will also notify nearby housing estates, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together to take mosquito prevention and elimination measures.

To reduce the risk of transmission of CF and dengue fever (DF), the FEHD continues to step up mosquito prevention and control measures across all districts and conduct vector investigations and targeted mosquito control operations within a 250-metre radius of the residence of patients and the places that patients had visited during the infectious period. Actions include removing mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides to stagnant water that cannot be cleared, and carrying out ultra-low volume fogging operations in adult mosquito habitats such as densely wooded areas, dark and secluded places, and abandoned structures to eliminate adult mosquitoes.

The FEHD 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 plant pots at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and disposable meal boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and estate management bodies 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.

Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit DF and CF. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia. In 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. Furthermore, according to the WHO, CF cases have been recorded in more than 110 countries/regions. Many countries worldwide experienced CF outbreaks last year; as of December 10, 2025, more than 500,000 cases had been reported in over 40 countries/regions worldwide. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. 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 their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries.

Source: AI-found images

Symposium for social welfare sector focuses on strengthening awareness of safeguarding national security

A symposium on safeguarding national security for the social welfare sector of Hong Kong, jointly organised by the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Connecting Hearts, was held today (April 10). The symposium explored the alignment of Hong Kong's social welfare sector with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and focused on the sharing of the sector's self-initiated efforts in safeguarding national security, with a view to supporting the high-quality development of the "one country, two systems" policy.

The symposium was officiated by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun. Over 300 management personnel from social welfare organisations attended the event, while around 9 000 participants from the social welfare sector took part online, fully demonstrating the social welfare sector's strong commitment to national security. Deputy Director-General of the Social Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Dr Zhou He and the President of the Connecting Hearts Academy, Professor Annie Tam, also attended the symposium.

Addressing the symposium, Mr Sun remarked that the white paper titled "Hong Kong: Safeguarding China's National Security Under the Framework of One Country, Two Systems", published by the State Council Information Office in February this year, sets out thoroughly the Central Government's principled stance on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong and gives a systematic account of Hong Kong's experience in safeguarding national security, offering important insights and guidance for all sectors of Hong Kong society. The successful conclusion of the eighth-term Legislative Council General Election last year under the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong", faithfully implementing the practice of "one country, two systems", was a crucial realisation of strengthening the national security shield. He stressed that social welfare work carries significant responsibilities and expressed his hope that the sector will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with the Government to actively advance efforts to safeguard national security, so that the society can focus its efforts on striving for a vibrant economy, pursuing development, and improving people's livelihood.

Mr Sun said that while this year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, it is incumbent upon all sectors of the community to consider and act on how Hong Kong can make full use of its strengths to serve the country's needs and further integrate into the overall national development. He also encouraged the social welfare sector to seize the opportunities from the 15th Five-Year Plan, deepening and strengthening the collaboration on social welfare in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and thus contributing Hong Kong's strengths to the country's development.

Member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and the President of the Legislative Council, Dr Starry Lee, was also invited to share her valuable insights on the National 15th Five-Year Plan and explore with the participants of the symposium how to further reinforce efforts in safeguarding national security under the "one country, two systems".

Another highlight of the symposium was a sharing session featuring representatives from six social welfare organisations, who presented their self-initiated efforts and practical experiences in safeguarding national security. The session fostered peer exchanges and mutual learning across the sector, encouraging organisations to more effectively integrate national security measures into their daily operations and jointly fulfil the sector's mission and responsibilities in safeguarding national security.

In his concluding remarks, Mr Sun said that the social welfare sector has actively supported the work of the LWB and the SWD during the previous year to promote national security. In addition to participating in the symposium, sharing sessions on national security and visiting the National Security Exhibition Gallery, the social welfare sector has also taken the initiative to organise training programmes, subsidised by the Dedicated Fund of the SWD, on understanding of national affairs and safeguarding national security, as well as arranging exchange tours to the Mainland for their staff. Mr Sun expressed confidence that, as more stakeholders of the sector deepen their understanding of the country, the sector will definitely demonstrate a broader perspective and a deeper sense of patriotism in serving the community, thereby facilitating the development and integration of the social welfare services of both places.

Source: AI-found images

Symposium for social welfare sector focuses on strengthening awareness of safeguarding national security Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Symposium for social welfare sector focuses on strengthening awareness of safeguarding national security Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Symposium for social welfare sector focuses on strengthening awareness of safeguarding national security Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Symposium for social welfare sector focuses on strengthening awareness of safeguarding national security Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases