FEHD Releases July Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for Aedes Albopictus Across 11 Survey Areas

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

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 10) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in July, covering 11 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Eastern

North Point and Quarry Bay

9.7%

1.7

Southern

Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau

9.1%

1.8

Wan Chai

Happy Valley and Tai Hang

3.4%

1.0

Tin Hau and Causeway Bay

1.9%

1.0

Wan Chai

1.9%

1.0

Kowloon City

Kai Tak

16.3%

1.1

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei

6.3%

1.0

Sha Tin

Tai Wai

0.0%

N/A

Kwai Tsing

Kwai Chung East

2.3%

1.0

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

6.8%

1.3

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

5.6%

1.7

The FEHD continues to carry out a series ofmeasures, including:

• convening special meetings of the interdepartmental task forces on anti-mosquito work to co-ordinate relevant departments and stakeholders, such as construction site contractors, schools and property management companies, in strengthening venues' mosquito control work;

• conducting risk assessments to identify locations with more serious mosquito infestationto carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control work, including stepping up inspections, eliminating mosquito breeding and potential breeding grounds, applying larvicides, conducting fogging operations to eradicate adult mosquitoes, and placing mosquito trapping devices at appropriate locations;

• organising exhibitions with the relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters; and

• notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management companies and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures.

During the follow-up actions and following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at a public housing estate in Kowloon City District, the FEHD has issued a statutory notice to the responsible person-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe.

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 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#).

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 10) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in July, covering 11 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member inspecting a public housing estate in Kai Tak, Kowloon City District, and providing the estate management staff member with advice and technical support on mosquito prevention and control. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 10) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in July, covering 11 survey areas. Photo shows staff members of the FEHD's contractor conducting a fogging operation to eliminate adult mosquitoes in the vicinity of Kai Tak, Kowloon City District. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

29 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" and "Contribute", and joint operations with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion", from July 3 to yesterday (July 9). During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including restaurants, warehouses and massage parlours. Twenty suspected illegal workers, six suspected employers and three overstayers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised nine men and 11 women, aged 29 to 69. Among them, three men were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment, and two women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Two men and four women, aged 39 to 53, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. The arrested overstayers comprised two men and a woman, aged 40 to 44. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.

An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."

The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."

The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.

According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.

Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.

For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, emailanti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form atwww.immd.gov.hk.

The Immigration Department mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations from July 3 to yesterday (July 9). Photo shows a suspected illegal worker arrested during an operation. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases