Interdepartmental Fire and Rescue Exercise Enhances Coordination and Technology for Mountain Safety

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held

An interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise was held today (October 9). Participating departments and organisations comprised the Fire Services Department (FSD); the Hong Kong Police Force; the Government Flying Service; the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; the Auxiliary Medical Service; the Civil Aid Service; the Home Affairs Department; the Social Welfare Department; and the Hospital Authority, mobilising a total of about 150 personnel.

The exercise was conducted in the area around Lion Rock Country Park, simulating a scenario where 25 hikers encountered a vegetation fire. The FSD deployed about 90 fire and ambulance personnel in total, as well as a large drone to drop water bombs for the first time to prepare for operational deployments during the Chung Yeung Festival. The FSD also applied various innovative technologies including the Patient Tagging System for Multiple Casualties Incidents, the Mountain Rescue Mobile App, viewshed analysis, the Mobile Phone Locator, along with AI to analyse fire conditions, locate persons awaiting rescue, and enhance search and rescue efficiency.

The exercise aimed to enhance the co-ordination, communication, command and control, and logistical support capabilities among different departments and organisations during large-scale hill fire and mountain rescue operations. It also helped test the effectiveness and co-operation of different emergency formations during firefighting and rescue operations, as well as the application of innovative technology and AI. Members of the Wong Tai Sin District Council and the Wong Tai Sin District Fire Safety Committee also attended the exercise as observers to assist in promoting hill fire prevention and safety awareness in mountaineering in the community.

The FSD reminded the public that given the recent dry weather, should a vegetation fire occur, it could become fierce with the wind and spread rapidly. Therefore, members of the public are urged not to leave any ignition sources behind during grave sweeping or hiking activities and must evacuate to a safe place in the event of a fire.

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Interdepartmental vegetation fire and mountain rescue exercise 2026 held Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 9) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). Although Hong Kong has entered autumn, the weather has yet to cool down and the rainy season has not yet ended, thus favourable for mosquito breeding. Members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.

Dengue fever

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From October 2 to yesterday, the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had visited Vietnam during the incubation period.

Hong Kong has recorded 33 DF cases so far this year, comprising 31 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million DF cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over five million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to August 2026, around 2.2 million cases and over 1 000 DF-related deaths have been recorded globally.

DF has long been prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. So far this year, Sri Lanka and Vietnam each recorded over 100 000 cases; Bangladesh and Cambodia each recorded over 80 000 cases; Indonesia and Malaysia each recorded over 70 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 2 600 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, as of August 31, 2026, Guangdong Province has recorded 431 cases, of which 150 were recorded in August.

Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP'swebsite.

Chikungunya fever

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From October 2 to yesterday, the CHP recorded one imported CF case, involving a 73-year-old male. The patient had visited the Chinese Mainland during the incubation period. The CHP considered that he was infected during travel. The case was classified as an imported case. The patient had been admitted to the hospital for treatment in a mosquito-free environment. He recovered and discharged.His household contact has completed medical surveillance and is asymptomatic. The CHP's epidemiological investigation is ongoing. The case has been reported to the Chinese Mainland health authority.

Hong Kong has recorded five confirmed CF cases so far this year, including four imported cases and one local case. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.

According to the WHO, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths were reported in 41 countries/territories last year. Cases were reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, as of August 31, 2026, Guangdong Province has recorded 739 cases, with 496 recorded in August, a sharp increase from the 36 and 171 cases recorded in June and July respectively.

Preventive measures to be taken by the public

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The CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:

• read the label instructions carefully first;
• apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
• apply on exposed skin and clothing;
• use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
• apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
• reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
• in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook Page,Instagram AccountandYouTube Channel, and also theMosquito Prevention and Control dedicated pageof the FEHD.

Source: AI-found images