FEHD Releases Aedes Albopictus Mosquito Survey Results for October 2023

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

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (October 9) released the first batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in October, covering 17 survey areas, as follows:

District	Survey Area	October 2026
		First Phase Gravidtrap Index	First Phase Density Index
Central and Western	Central and Admiralty	0.0%	N/A
	Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui	5.6%	1.0
Eastern	Chai Wan	1.6%	1.0
	North Point and Quarry Bay	3.3%	1.0
	Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho	7.1%	1.0
Southern	Deep Water Bay and Repulse Bay	1.7%	1.0
Wan Chai	Tin Hau and Causeway Bay	2.0%	1.0
	Wan Chai	0.0%	N/A
Kwun Tong	Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping	9.4%	1.2
	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	3.4%	1.0
Wong Tai Sin	Diamond Hill and Tsz Wan Shan	1.7%	1.0
	Wong Tai Sin East	2.1%	1.0
North	Fanling North	2.3%	1.0
	Fanling South	4.7%	1.0
Sha Tin	Sha Tin East	8.2%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	1.9%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun South	5.5%	1.0

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.

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:

• tidying up their premises and checking for any accumulation of water inside the premises;
• removing all unnecessary water collections and eliminating the sources;
• checking 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;
• changing water in flower vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces thoroughly, and removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
• properly covering all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly disposing of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrubbing 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 first batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in October Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

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

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

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

DH continues to clamp down on illegal smoking in no smoking areas

The Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office (TACO) of the Department of Health (DH) continued to clamp down on illegal smoking in no smoking areas by conducting another enforcement operation, codenamed "Cloudcrush", in Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui last night (October 8) and issued a total of five fixed penalty notices (FPNs).

During the operation, officers from TACO (including plainclothes officers) carried out inspections and enforcement action at bars in the vicinity of Causeway Bay and Tsim Sha Tsui areas and issued a total of five FPNs to persons illegally smoking waterpipes and cigarette, as well as possessing an e-cigarette capsule. TACO's investigation is ongoing, and prosecution may also be taken against operators of the bars that are suspected of aiding and abetting smoking offences. TACO will also refer the cases to the Liquor Licensing Board for appropriate follow-up action.

Under the Smoking (Public Health) Ordinance (Ordinance), conducting a smoking act in a statutory no smoking area (such as indoor areas of bars or restaurants) is prohibited. The Ordinance also prohibits the possession of specified alternative smoking products (ASPs) (including e-cigarette capsules, liquids, heat sticks and herbal cigarettes) in public places. Any person contravening the above provisions is liable to a fixed penalty of $3,000. Moreover, where smoking products (including waterpipes) are sold, in bars or otherwise, the restrictions on the promotion and sale of smoking products stipulated in the Ordinance apply. Offenders are liable on summary conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. Venue managers of statutory no smoking areas are empowered by the Ordinance to request a smoking offender cease the act; if the offender is not co-operative, the manager may contact the Police for assistance.

In addition, under the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, any person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the commission by another person of any offence shall be guilty of the same offence.

During the inspections conducted from January 2024 to date, the DH issued a total of over 300 fixed penalty notices for smoking waterpipe tobacco illegally in indoor no smoking areas, in addition to around 150 summonses to staff of the bars for relevant offences including aiding and abetting smoking in indoor no smoking areas.

"Members of the public must not try or continue consuming ASPs or waterpipes based on the misconception that these products contain less harmful substances. On the contrary, ASPs have been proven to emit numerous toxic substances that can lead to addiction, illness, or even death. A waterpipe is also a smoking product, and its combustion of fuel (e.g. charcoal) releases carbon monoxide. A typical one-hour waterpipe smoking session exposes the user to 100 to 200 times the volume of smoke inhaled from a single conventional cigarette. Moreover, sharing a waterpipe apparatus increases the risk of transmitting infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. People should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect they are developing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning," said the Head of TACO, Dr Manny Lam.

He stressed that TACO will continue to closely monitor and rigorously enforce the law against illegal activities such as waterpipe smoking in no smoking areas, illegal sales and promotions of smoking products, as well as illegal imports of ASPs.

Dr Lam urged smokers to quit smoking as early as possible for their own health and that of others. Members of the public may call the DH's Integrated Smoking Cessation Hotline on 1833 183, or visit TACO's website for information on smoking cessation.

Source: AI-found images