Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 17) announced the latest situation of dengue fever and chikungunya fever. The Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, reminds the public that as temperatures gradually rise and humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public should take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
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From April 10 to yesterday (April 16), the CHP recorded two imported dengue fever (DF) cases. The two patients had travelled to Thailand and Sri Lanka respectively during the incubation period.
As of yesterday, Hong Kong has recorded 12 DF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were also imported cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. From January to July 2025, over 4 million cases and over 3 000 DF-related deaths were reported in 97 countries/territories.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Malaysia and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases.Meanwhile, as of April 5, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded 54 cases in Guangdong Province this year, including four locally infected cases. Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 locally infected cases in 2025.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.
Chikungunya fever
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From April 10 to yesterday, no new cases of chikungunya fever (CF) had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, all of which were imported cases. Hong Kong has recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. 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. Meanwhile, as of April 5, the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention recorded three cases in Guangdong Province this year, including one locally infected case.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether traveling or not, 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
SLW's opening remarks on welfare, poverty alleviation and children policy areas tabled at LegCo Finance Committee special meeting
Following is the English translation of the opening remarks by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, on welfare, poverty alleviation and children policy areas tabled at the special meeting of the Legislative Council Finance Committee today (April 17):
Chairman and Honourable Members,
In 2026-27, government recurrent spending on social welfare is estimated to be $135.9 billion, accounting for 22.7 per cent of the total recurrent government expenditure for the year, making it first among all policy area groups. Compared with the revised estimate for 2025-26 of $123.6 billion, there is an increase of about $12.3 billion in recurrent spending on social welfare. The increase is about 9.9 per cent. Now, let me highlight how the Labour and Welfare Bureau (LWB) will make use of these resources.
Elderly services
On elderly services, the recurrent government expenditure this year is estimated to reach about $17.5 billion, representing an increase of about 27 per cent over about $13.8 billion five years ago (i.e. 2021-22).
Starting from 2026-27, we will increase the number of Community Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly by 4 000 to a total of 16 000 and the number of Residential Care Service Vouchers for the Elderly by 1 000 to a total of 7 000. The two voucher schemes involve an annual expenditure of about $1.2 billion and $1.97 billion respectively.
Cash assistance
This year's Budget proposes to provide a one-off extra one-month allowance to eligible recipients of social security payments, which will incur an expenditure of about $6,290 million. Similar arrangements will apply to Working Family Allowance households, incurring an expenditure of about $196 million.
To further facilitate cross-border retirement for elderly persons, the 2025 Policy Address announced improvements to disbursement arrangements for portable cash assistance so that Hong Kong elderly beneficiaries retiring in Guangdong and Fujian Provinces may opt to receive government cash assistance directly through their accounts with designated Mainland banks. The new service is expected to be launched in the middle of this year.
Support for persons with disabilities
On support for persons with disabilities, this year's Budget announced two major measures to enhance rehabilitation services, namely to provide about 450 additional spaces for day, residential and pre-school services in financial year 2026-27; and for children with special needs receiving On-site Pre-school Rehabilitation Services, to provide bridging and support services during their first term in primary school starting from the 2026/27 school year. These two measures will in total involve an additional annual expenditure of about $367 million.
Assist working families in childbearing
To assist working families, 15 new aided standalone child care centres will be set up over the next three years starting from 2026-27, almost doubling the existing number of service places.
Child protection
The Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse Ordinance came into effect on January 20 this year. The Government will continue to ensure the smooth operation of the Ordinance, including continuously monitoring the operation of the mandatory reporting mechanism, ensuring the adequacy of relevant supportive measures such as emergency placement and professional support, and continuing to provide training for specified professionals.
To strengthen the prevention of child abuse at source, the Government will allocate an additional provision of $96.9 million from 2025-26 to 2029-30 for setting up four Community Parents and Children Centres on a pilot basis, promoting parent-child interaction through play-based services and instilling positive parenting skills in parents. Three of the Centres commenced operation earlier this month, while the fourth is set to begin service shortly.
Implementation of Productivity Enhancement Programme
The Financial Secretary announced in this year's Budget that the Government will take forward the Productivity Enhancement Programme (PEP) as planned. To support non-governmental organisations operating subvented welfare services (NGOs) in implementing the PEP, the LWB and the Social Welfare Department (SWD) have reallocated internal resources and adjusted priorities to help alleviate some of the financial burden on NGOs. In addition, since March 2025, the SWD has relaxed the utilisation of various reserves, streamlined cost apportionment procedures, refined the Funding and Service Agreements signed with NGOs, and more, Since April this year, we have also rolled out a series of new support measures, including extending the coverage of streamlined cost apportionment procedures to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Community Chest and three additional government-funded projects, refining and streamlining the Service Quality Standards, and enabling a more flexible use of the Block Grant provided under the Lotteries Fund, with a view to enhancing NGOs' financial flexibility and streamlining administrative work, assisting them to implement the PEP while focusing their resources and efforts on delivering services, thereby maximising the effectiveness of the use of public money.
Government Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities ($2 Scheme)
The Government announced in last year's Budget changes to the $2 Scheme, introducing "$2 flat rate or 80 per cent discount", which has successfully taken effect on April 3 this year, and the overall operation has been smooth. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all Legislative Council Members, District Council members, Care Team members, the local community, and social welfare organisations, among others, for their assistance in the promotion. It is estimated that the implementation of this enhancement measure will save approximately $550 million in public expenditure for 2026-27, including the savings resulting from the reduction of "taking long-haul routes for short journeys" by beneficiaries. The relevant resources can be utilised to address other needs in society, including the aforementioned elderly services and support services for persons with disabilities.
Chairman, this concludes my opening remarks. Members are welcome to raise questions.
