FEHD Releases Aedes Albopictus Gravidtrap and Density Indexes for August Across 18 Survey Areas

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

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 26) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 18 survey areas, as follows:

District

Survey Area

First Phase Gravidtrap Index

First Phase Density Index

Central and Western

Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui

5.5%

1.0

Eastern

North Point and Quarry Bay

5.0%

1.3

Sham Shui Po

Sham Shui Po and Shek Kip Mei

6.8%

1.0

Yau Tsim

Tsim Sha Tsui and Yau Ma Tei

0.0%

N/A

North

Sheung Shui

6.5%

1.0

Sai Kung

Tseung Kwan O North

9.1%

1.0

Sha Tin

Ma On Shan

8.3%

1.0

Kwai Tsing

Kwai Chung East

2.3%

1.0

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan Town

5.2%

1.0

Tuen Mun

Tuen Mun South

5.5%

1.3

District

Survey Area

Area Gravidtrap Index

Area Density Index

Central and Western

Sheung Wan and Sai Ying Pun

19.5%

1.4

Southern

Pok Fu Lam

7.0%

1.1

Islands

Cheung Chau

1.8%

1.0

Sham Shui Po

Cheung Sha Wan

9.3%

1.9

Wong Tai Sin

Ngau Chi Wan and San Po Kong

6.4%

1.4

North

Fanling South

5.8%

1.2

Kwai Tsing

Kwai Chung West

7.8%

1.0

Yuen Long

Yuen Long Town

13.6%

1.3

During the rainy season, the FEHD continues to carry out a series of mosquito prevention and elimination 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 at a construction site and a private housing estate in Central and Western District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has issued a total of two statutory notices to the responsible persons-in-charge, requiring the clearance of such stagnant water 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 reduing 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 26) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 18 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member inspecting a public housing estate in Sheung Shui, North 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 (August 26) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 18 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member conducting a fogging operation with a mechanical ultra-low volume fogger in the vicinity of Ma On Shan, Sha Tin District, to eliminate adult mosquitoes. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 26) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 18 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member inspecting a construction site in Yuen Long Town, Yuen Long District. Following the discovery of stagnant water inside the construction site, a statutory notice has been issued to the relevant construction site contractor, requiring the clearance of such stagnant water within a specified timeframe. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (August 26) released the fifth batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering 18 survey areas. Photo shows an FEHD staff member inspecting a private housing estate in Sheung Wan, Central and Western District. Following the discovery of stagnant water inside the private housing estate, a statutory notice has been issued to the relevant property management company, requiring the clearance of such stagnant water within a specified timeframe. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SCS meets Administrative Service Internship Programme student interns and announces Programme expansion to cover all university students

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, met today (August 26) with over 50 university students participating in this year's Administrative Service Internship Programme, and listened to their sharing of internship experiences and learning outcomes. She encouraged them to apply for civil service positions such as the Administrative Officer (AO) post, where they can leverage their strengths and contribute to society.

She said that the Programme has been well received by university students in recent years, with nearly 600 applications collected over the past year. To enable more young people at different stages of study to learn about public service and plan their career development at an early stage, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) has decided to expand the eligibility for the Programme to all full-time students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate studies, regardless of their year of study, starting from this year's Winter Internship Programme.

At the gathering, Mrs Yeung listened to the interns share their work experiences and proposed policy initiatives. Drawing on her own civil service experience, she shared her insights and encouraged the interns to seize the opportunity to deepen their understanding of public administration, policy formulation and cross-departmental collaboration, with a view to contributing to the development of the country and Hong Kong in the future.

The Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Ms Shirley Lam, and Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service Ms Elaine Mak also joined the gathering and spoke with interns to learn about their internship experiences and views on public policy formulation.

Under the arrangements made by the CSB, the interns were assigned to various bureaux and departments for practical experience and to gain a deeper understanding of government operations. Drawing on their internship experiences, they also took part in group discussions and put forward policy initiatives on a range of social issues, including transport, tourism, green finance, innovation and technology, youth and district affairs, and elderly welfare.

Mrs Yeung added that from their sharing, the interns had brought fresh perspectives to the team. She said AOs are required to develop skills to handle a wide range of matters, respond promptly to emergencies, and deal with issues with flexibility and a holistic perspective. Although the work is challenging, it enables AOs to serve the public and promote the stable development of society. She also took the opportunity to appeal to responsible young people who aspire to serve the community to join the civil service.

AOs are professional public administrators who play a pivotal role in the Government. They are responsible for assisting in the formulation of public policies, co-ordinating and supervising various policy initiatives, managing the use of public resources, promoting district work and publicising Hong Kong externally, etc. To enable AOs to accumulate experience and unleash their potential in different public policy areas, they are posted to various bureaux and departments at regular intervals, thereby broadening their horizons and gaining a fuller grasp of the challenges and opportunities in public administration.

The CSB organises the Administrative Service Internship Programme every summer and winter, offering students who aspire to become AOs opportunities to work alongside serving AOs for around eight weeks. It allows interns to gain practical experience of working in the Government at an early stage, and lay a foundation for their future career development.

The Government will launch a new round of recruitment for the posts of AO, Executive Officer II, Assistant Information Officer (General), Assistant Trade Officer II, Management Services Officer II and Transport Officer II in September this year. Prospective applicants must first take the Common Recruitment Examination and the Basic Law and National Security Law Test, and attain the requisite scores. For the latest recruitment information of the CSB, please refer to the CSB website (www.csb.gov.hk).

Source: AI-found images