Health Bureau and Hospital Authority alert public to fraudulent SMS messages
The Health Bureau (HHB) and the Hospital Authority (HA) today (June 9) urged members of the public to stay vigilant against fraudulent SMSmessages purportedly issued by "eHealth" or "HA Go".
The HA has recently received enquiries from the public about SMS messages sent under the name of "eHealth" or "HA Go". These fraudulent messages falsely claimed that the trial period of certain medical protection plans subscribed to by the citizens has expired, and that charges will be incurred, in an attempt to deceive the public into calling a telephone number provided in the SMS messages or answering unidentified incoming calls.
The HHB and the HA solemnly clarified that they have never sent the relevant SMS messages and have reported the matter to the Police.
Both eHealth and the HA are registered in the SMS Sender Registration Scheme of the Office of the Communications Authority. All SMS messages issued by the relevant entities will bear the prefix "#" in the SMS Sender ID (i.e. "#eHealth" or "#HA Go"), enabling members of the public to verify the identity of the senders.
Moreover, in cases where the HA requires contact with the public by phone, a staff member will place the call and provide relevant information to verify identity. The HA is gradually adopting 18285 or 18286 as the prefix for its caller ID display numbers, thereby assisting members of the public to identify incoming calls from the HA.
The HHB and the HA again reminded the public not to provide any personal information in response to unidentified and suspicious incoming calls, SMS messages or website links to prevent the leakage of personal data. Anyone who has disclosed his or her personal information via the telephone number provided in the above fraudulent SMS messages or to any other persons should contact the Police immediately.
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 9) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in June, covering 10 survey areas, as follows:
District |
Survey Area |
June 2026 |
First PhaseGravidtrap Index |
First PhaseDensity Index |
Islands |
Cheung Chau |
9.1% |
1.4 |
Tung Chung |
7.8% |
2.3 |
Kowloon City |
Ho Man Tin |
14.0% |
1.1 |
Kwun Tong |
Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling |
17.5% |
1.6 |
Sham Shui Po |
Lai Chi Kok |
9.1% |
1.0 |
Wong Tai Sin |
Wong Tai Sin East |
18.8% |
1.0 |
North |
Fanling South |
31.8% |
1.2 |
Sai Kung |
Tseung Kwan O West |
7.3% |
1.5 |
Tai Po |
Tai Po West |
14.3% |
1.0 |
Tsuen Wan |
Ma Wan and Sham Tseng |
7.5% |
1.0 |
With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April every year. The indexes are higher from May to June. The actual timing and extent of the rise are affected by factors like weather conditions and rainfall. As compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in April and May increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. As a result, the rise in gravidtrap indexes occurred earlier this year. Depending on factors like rainfall, the indexes may rise further, but the overall trend of gravidtrap indexes this year is similar to those of previous years.
For survey areas 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, including eliminating mosquito breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and ensuring that mosquito trapping devices are placed at appropriate locations, as well as to strengthen efforts in publicity and education. Moreover, the FEHD has initiated two prosecutions against the relevant estate management company and property management company following the discovery of mosquito breeding respectively at a public housing estate and a private housing estate in North District. In addition, following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in two parks, seven public housing estates and five private housing estates in Kowloon City District, North District and Tai Po District, the FEHD has issued 14 statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. The FEHD also issued a Nuisance Notice to the relevant property management company following the discovery of refuse accumulation at a private housing estate in North District. The FEHD, the relevant departments and stakeholders 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.
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 the 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 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#).
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
FEHD releases first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in June Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
