FEHD Releases August Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for Aedes albopictus in Hong Kong's 16 Survey Areas

FEHD releases second batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 13) released the second batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 16 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Central and Western

Central and Admiralty

7.8%

1.0

Eastern

Chai Wan

16.1%

1.0

Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho

14.0%

1.1

Southern

Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay

3.3%

1.0

Islands

Tung Chung

2.0%

1.0

Kowloon City

Ho Man Tin

9.3%

1.0

Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan

12.1%

1.7

Kowloon Tong

16.7%

1.4

Sai Kung

Tseung Kwan O East

3.8%

1.0

Tseung Kwan O West

9.1%

1.2

Sha Tin

Sha Tin Town Centre and Fo Tan

9.6%

2.6

Tai Po

Tai Po East

7.7%

1.0

District

Survey Area

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

North

Fanling North

0.0%

N/A

Sha Tin

Sha Tin East

8.1%

1.1

Tsuen Wan

Sheung Kwai Chung

5.5%

1.3

Tsuen Wan West

2.8%

1.3

During the rainy season, 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 two parks and a housing estate in Kowloon City District, the FEHD has issued a total of three statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such items within a specified timeframe. Meanwhile, the FEHD has initiated three prosecutions against the relevant construction site contractor, venue management company and estate management company following the discovery of mosquito breeding at a construction site, a park and a public housing estate in Eastern District.

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 (August 13) released the second batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 16 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member holding a talk at a construction site in Kowloon City District to raise site staff's awareness on mosquito prevention and control. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 13) released the second batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 16 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member inspecting a school in Chai Wan, Eastern District, and providing the school’s representative with advice and technical support on mosquito prevention and control. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Employers, contractors and employees should be aware of electrical safety at work during rainstorms

As the rainstorm warning has been issued by the Hong Kong Observatory, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and contractors that they should adopt necessary work arrangements and take suitable safety measures to protect the safety of their employees when they are carrying out electrical work or handling electrical plant.

A spokesman for the LD said today (November 14) that employers and contractors should avoid assigning employees to carry out electrical work (such as electric arc welding work) or handle electrical plant at places affected by rainstorms, and should refer to the "Code of Practice in Times of Adverse Weather and 'Extreme Conditions'" and the "Guide on Safety at Work in times of Inclement Weather" issued by the LD.

Even if electrical work is carried out or electrical plant is handled at places not affected by a rainstorm, suitable safety measures must still be adopted to prevent an electric shock as the air would be more humid. Such measures include:

(i) Ensure that all live parts of an electrical installation are isolated from the power supply source and rendered dead, and the isolation from the power supply source must be maintained as long as electrical work is being carried out;

(ii) Before carrying out any electrical work or handling any electrical plant, cut off and lock out the power supply source, then test the circuit concerned to confirm that it is dead and display suitable warning notices, and issue a work permit thereafter;

(iii) Ensure that protective devices (such as suitable and adequate fuses and circuit breakers) for the electrical installations or electrical plant have been installed and maintained in good working order, and portable electric tools must be double-insulated or properly earthed;

(iv) Provide suitable personal protective equipment such as insulating gloves and insulating mats for employees; and

(v) If live electrical work is unavoidable, a comprehensive risk assessment should be conducted by a competent person and the appropriate safety precautions should be taken to remove or properly control the electrical hazards involved before such work can proceed.

In addition, employees should co-operate with the employer or contractor to follow the safety instructions and use the safety equipment provided.

The LD has published guidebooks and leaflets on electrical work safety. These safety publications are available free from divisional offices of the department or can be downloaded from its website (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/public/content2_8.htm).

Should there be any questions about occupational safety and health matters, please contact the Occupational Safety Officer of the LD at 2559 2297.

Source: AI-found images