FEHD Releases May Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for Aedes albopictus in 14 Areas, Highlights High-Risk Locations.

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

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 11) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 14 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

May 2026

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Wan Chai

Tin Hau and Causeway Bay

7.8%

1.3

Wan Chai

5.4%

1.3

Kowloon City

Kowloon City

7.4%

1.0

Kowloon Tong

12.9%

1.3

Kwun Tong

Kwun Tong Central

13.6%

1.5

Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping

13.8%

1.1

Mong Kok

Mong Kok and Tai Kok Tsui

0.0%

N/A

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei

4.7%

2.0

Tsim Sha Tsui East and King's Park

9.1%

1.0

North

Fanling North

14.3%

1.0

Fanling South

7.0%

1.7

Kwai Tsing

Tsing Yi South

12.3%

1.1

Tsuen Wan

Sheung Kwai Chung

7.4%

1.3

Yuen Long

Tin Shui Wai

8.0%

1.0

Among the first batch of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 14 survey areas in May, all were below 10 per cent, except for Kowloon Tong in Kowloon City District, Fanling North in North District, Tsing Yi South in Kwai Tsing District, as well as Kwun Tong Central, and Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping in Kwun Tong District.

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 of the increase and its extent are affected by factors like weather and rainfall. Entering the humid and rainy season, the conditions are favourable for mosquito growth and breeding, and the overall trend and extent of the rise of gravidtrap indexes this year are similar to those of previous years. In response to the rise of gravidtrap indexes, the FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, has implemented rapid response measures and deployed targeted actions.

For Kowloon Tong in Kowloon City District, Fanling North in North District, Tsing Yi South in Kwai Tsing District, as well as Kwun Tong Central, and Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping in Kwun Tong District, 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. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Kowloon Tong showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Fanling North and Tsing Yi South showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks and public and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Kwun Tong Central showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools and public housing estates; and the gravidtrap data for Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping showed that areas with more mosquito problems included public and private housing estates.

In response to the high-risk areas identified in the said survey areas, the FEHD has issued three statutory notices to a relevant venue management company and estate management companies following the discovery of stagnant water in a park in Kowloon City District and two public housing estates in Kwun Tong District, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD and the relevant departments 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.

Among these 14 survey areas, four recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. April 2026), representing that the areas' mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Five other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

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 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 f 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 first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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

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

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

FEHD holds first briefing for trade on allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will start accepting applications from restaurants on May 18 for allowing dogs to enter their premises. It is expected that the permitted food premises could welcome their customers with dogs within July. The FEHD held the first briefing for the trade today (May 11), providing in-depth explanations of the new policy and relevant arrangements for allowing dogs in permitted restaurants. More than 150 members from the catering sector attended, the first briefing received an enthusiastic response.

The briefing aims to explain to the catering trade the regulatory framework and application arrangements for allowing dogs in permitted restaurants. The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene, Mr Donald Ng, and the Deputy Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene (Environmental Hygiene), Mr Arsene Yiu, answered questions from attendees during the question-and-answer session.

At the briefing, representatives of the FEHD set out relevant application procedures, eligibility criteria, licensing conditions and matters that require restaurant operators' attention. In addition, representatives of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Institute of Shopping Centre Management, and the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers, were invited to share with trade members knowledge on interacting with animals, experience in managing pet-friendly malls and matters requiring attention in relation to insurance.

A spokesman for the FEHD said, "We expect to help the catering trade to understand the application requirements through the briefing, and to get prepared for the upcoming implementation of the new measures in advance."

The spokesman reminded that, except for guide dogs and working dogs, restaurants must first apply to the FEHD and obtain permission before allowing dogs to enter their premises.

The FEHD will hold three other briefing sessions for the trade tomorrow (May 12) and on May 13 and 28. Restaurant operators who are unable to attend in person and other interested parties may watch the live broadcast via the FEHD's Facebook page from 2.30pm to 5pm on the days of the briefing sessions, which will later be uploaded to the FEHD's dedicated webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/licensing/dog_restaurants/index.html).

Information including licence conditions and frequently asked questions has been uploaded to the FEHD's dedicated webpage today. After gauging the views of trade members, the FEHD will release a set of Guidelines of Good Practice and Behaviour later for reference by restaurant operators and members of the public. The FEHD has set up two dedicated hotlines (2867 5912 and 2867 2836), through which enquiries about the applications can be made from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).

FEHD holds first briefing for trade on allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

FEHD holds first briefing for trade on allowing dogs to enter permitted food premises Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases