FEHD Releases July Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for Aedes Albopictus in 15 Districts.

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

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (July 30) released the sixth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in July, covering 15 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	July 2026
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Southern	Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay	3.4%	1.0
Islands	Tung Chung	0.0%	N/A
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	9.1%	1.2
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	30.9%	1.9
	Lai Chi Kok	9.3%	1.4
Sai Kung	Tseung Kwan O East	7.5%	1.5
	Tseung Kwan O West	9.1%	1.2

District	Survey Area	July 2026
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Eastern	Chai Wan	16.3%	1.0
Kowloon City	Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan	18.1%	1.1
	Kowloon Tong	9.1%	1.2
North	Fanling North	0.0%	N/A
Sha Tin	Sha Tin East	5.0%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	4.5%	1.4
	Tsuen Wan West	8.5%	1.2
Yuen Long	Yuen Long Town	13.2%	1.5

The FEHD continues to carry out a series of measures, including:

• interdepartmental collaboration: 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 mosquito control work at venues;
• precise risk assessments: carrying out intensive and targeted mosquito control work at locations with more serious mosquito infestations, 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;
• promotion and education: organising exhibitions with relevant departments and stakeholders, and distributing leaflets and posters to enhance public awareness of mosquito control and prevention; and
• rapid alert mechanism: notifying residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, and 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 one park, three public housing estates and three private housing estates in Sham Shui Po District, the FEHD has issued a total of eight statutory notices to the responsible persons-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#).

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

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

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

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

FEHD issues Notice of Elimination of Vermin to Langham Place in Mong Kok

In response to media enquiries regarding the rodent sightings in Langham Place in Mong Kok, a spokesman for the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today (July 30) that the department has long attached great importance to the prevention and control of rodent infestation, and it will proactively follow up on any premises where poor hygiene conditions lead to such infestation.

Upon learning of the rodent sightings at the shopping centre concerned this morning, the FEHD immediately deployed staff to inspect its common areas and food premises. During the inspection, signs of rodent activity and holes in false ceilings were found, and a licensed food premises was found to have an improperly covered rubbish bin in its food room. These could not only make it easy for rodents to enter and exit, but also provide them with food sources and hiding spots. The situation was deemed unsatisfactory. The FEHD staff provided hygiene education and advice on rodent prevention and control measures to the shopping centre's management and staff, which include the implementation of effective pest control measures and reminders to maintain personal, food, and environmental hygiene at all times. The department learnt that the shopping centre concerned has already arranged for a pest control company to conduct thorough cleaning and strengthen anti-rodent measures.

The spokesman stressed that owners or occupiers of private premises (including indoor venues such as shopping centres) are responsible for clearing rodents within their premises. The persons in charge of private premises must earnestly fulfil their legal responsibilities and proactively implement effective rodent prevention and control measures.

In view of the inspection results today, the FEHD officers issued a Notice of Elimination of Vermin, in accordance with Section 47(1) of the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132), requiring the property management of Langham Place in Mong Kok to take necessary steps to remove conditions conducive to rodent infestation by August 6, failing which prosecution may be instituted. Meanwhile, the FEHD staff also issued a verbal warning to the person in charge of the relevant food premises, requiring rectification of the irregularity.

The FEHD will continue to monitor the hygienic condition of Langham Place in Mong Kok and take appropriate actions to safeguard environmental hygiene and public health. If any premises is found with poor hygiene condition, mishandling of food or refuse, or possibly causing rodent infestation, the department will adopt appropriate enforcement actions depending on actual circumstances, in accordance with the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) and its subsidiary legislation, with a view to safeguarding public health.

The spokesman reiterated that the FEHD has always attached great importance to environmental hygiene, and rodent infestation is of particular concern. The department implements targeted anti-rodent measures across all districts and strengthens inspections and enforcement according to risk assessments to stringently combat irregularities that could lead to rodent infestation or affect public health, including actively inspecting private premises and issuing statutory Notice of Elimination of Vermin to relevant property managements or building owners.

As for Mong Kok District, the FEHD has issued 10 statutory Notices of Elimination of Vermin over the past six months, and has also issued 122 fixed penalty notices to individuals who violated cleansing regulations in the vicinity of the shopping centre. In addition to daily cleaning and anti-rodent work in public areas, the FEHD had stepped up cleaning and anti-rodent measures in public places near the shopping centre concerned, including increasing the number of mouse traps and bait boxes in nearby rear lanes, as well as increasing the frequency of cleaning and inspections in these areas to enhance the effectiveness of rodent control.

Rodent control requires the participation of all sectors of society, focusing on three aspects, namely food, harbourage, and passages: cutting off food sources, eliminating hiding places, and preventing entry into premises. Examples include properly storing food and kitchen waste, keeping premises clean inside and out, avoiding the accumulation of refuse, and promptly sealing holes and crevices in walls, doors, pipes, and other areas that could allow rodents to enter, so as to reduce the risk of rodent infestation.

The FEHD will continue to strengthen collaboration with various stakeholders and to raise public awareness of environmental hygiene through publicity and education, encouraging the adoption of good living habits to reduce rodent infestation risks at source.

Source: AI-found images