FEHD Releases August Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for Aedes Albopictus Across 22 Survey Areas.

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

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 18) released the third batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 22 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	August 2026
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central and Western	Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun	19.6%	1.5
Southern	Pok Fu Lam	8.9%	1.2
Islands	Cheung Chau	1.8%	1.0
Kwun Tong	Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping	29.0%	1.5
Sham Shui Po	Cheung Sha Wan	9.1%	2.4
Wong Tai Sin	Diamond Hill and Tsz Wan Shan	13.3%	1.0
	Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong	7.4%	1.3
North	Fanling South	9.3%	1.3
Kwai Tsing	Kwai Chung West	11.1%	1.0
	Tsing Yi North	10.0%	1.7
Yuen Long	Yuen Long Town	19.7%	1.4

District	Survey Area	August 2026
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Central and Western	Central and Admiralty	6.7%	1.0
Islands	Tung Chung	5.2%	1.0
Kowloon City	Ho Man Tin	6.5%	1.0
Kwun Tong	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	5.4%	1.0
Sham Shui Po	Lai Chi Kok	7.1%	1.6
Wong Tai Sin	Wong Tai Sin East	5.4%	1.4
Sai Kung	Sai Kung Town	3.9%	1.0
	Tseung Kwan O East	2.8%	1.0
	Tseung Kwan O West	7.3%	1.1
Kwai Tsing	Lai King	9.6%	1.5
Yuen Long	Hung Shui Kiu and Ping Shan	1.2%	1.0

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 eight public housing estates and a private premises in Central and Western District, Kwun Tong District, Kwai Tsing District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has issued a total of nine 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.ov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).

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

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

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

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

CHP records case of severe paediatric influenza A infection

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (August 18) recorded a severe paediatric influenza A infection case. The CHP urged the public to maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times to prevent influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

The case involves a 16-year-old girl with underlying illnesses. She developed a fever on August 15. She presented with shortness of breath and was taken to the Accident and Emergency Department of Tseung Kwan O Hospital today. Due to her respiratory distress and low blood pressure, she was transferred to the United Christian Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit for treatment. Her respiratory specimen tested positive for influenza A (H3) virus. Her clinical diagnosis was influenza A complicated with severe pneumonia and septic shock. She is currently in critical condition.

The CHP's preliminary investigation revealed that the girl had no travel history during the incubation period and her household contacts remain asymptomatic. The CHP will continue to investigate the case.

"Since Hong Kong entered the influenza season in late June, a cumulative total of 10 cases of severe paediatric influenza infection have been recorded, including one fatal case. Four patients have recovered and been discharged from hospital. Three patients are in stable condition, while two remain critical (including forementioned case). We anticipated that activity levels for influenza will remain high in the coming weeks, with continued influenza transmission in the community. As the number of infections is expected to rise, the number of severe cases will subsequently increase. In general, the situation in the current influenza season is comparable to that of previous influenza seasons, and the disease primarily affects the elderly and children. The predominant influenza viruses detected in Hong Kong are influenza A (H1) and influenza A (H3). The Public Health Laboratory Services Branch under the CHP has conducted viral genetic analyses of influenza cases, and confirmed that the predominant influenza virus strains are similar to those circulating in other regions of the world, with no evidence of causing a more severe illness or resistance to antiviral drugs so far," said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.

"The Government has completed the procurement process for the 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes and is actively preparing various vaccination arrangements. The 2026/27 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination School Outreach Programme (SIVSOP) will introduce a new Electronic Consent Form (e-consent form) feature. We have distributed school-specific QR codes to participating schools for distribution to parents. The QR codes have become effective. Parents are encouraged to fill out the e-consent forms for their children as soon as possible. I appeal to all schools and parents in Hong Kong to work closely with the CHP to actively participate in coming season's SIVSOP and use the e-consent forms to complete the consent process as soon as possible, so that schools can plan and organise SIV school outreach activities earlier," he added.

Dr Tsui reminded parents that the health condition of children with influenza can deteriorate rapidly. Parents must pay close attention to their condition, and visit an accident and emergency department immediately if the child's condition deteriorates with symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, blue lips, chest pain, confusion, a persistent fever or convulsions. Members of the public should seek medical attention as soon as possible if they develop respiratory symptoms. If they live with members of high-risk groups, such as children, the elderly and those with underlying illnesses or compromised immune systems, they should wear a surgical mask at home to reduce the risk of infecting them. Other effective ways to reduce the spread of the disease include maintaining household hygiene, frequently cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, practising good hand hygiene, and ensuring proper indoor air circulation.

Members of the public may refer to the CHP's COVID-19 & Flu Express, Seasonal Influenza Webpage and COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, for the latest information.

Source: AI-found images