Hong Kong – Government holds meeting with sectors on preventing import of bedbug infestation (with photos)

     In response to the recent emergence of bedbugs in some overseas places, which has caused public concern, the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB) today (November 11) held a meeting with representatives from the Airport Authority Hong Kong, the MTR Corporation Limited, the hotel sector, the Tourism Commission and relevant government departments on preventing the import of bedbug infestation, for understanding and assisting relevant sectors in sustaining the implementation of effective preventive measures.

     The Acting Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong, was briefed on various measures taken on preventing the import of bedbug infestation into Hong Kong at the Airport, the Airport Express, hotels and the cruise terminal. At the meeting, representatives from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Port Health Division of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health (DH) shared technical advice on preventing the import of bedbug infestation.
 
     “The Government has always been maintaining close communication with relevant sectors. We thanked the sectors for their prompt response and for taking proactive measures, including conducting deep cleansing and disinfestation as well as strengthening anti-bedbug work, for safeguarding our first line of defence concertedly. The Government together with the trade will continue to pay close attention to the development of the situation, and will strengthen communication with frontline organisations and sectors, and continue to provide technical support and coordinate efforts from all sectors to prevent the import of bedbug infestation into Hong Kong,” said Miss Wong.
 
     The Government will distribute information and leaflets on preventing the import of bedbug infestation to relevant sectors (including the tourism and hotel sectors, public transport sectors) with a view to reducing the chances of bringing bedbugs to Hong Kong by returnees and visitors. The FEHD has been working closely with the DH and relevant organisations to strengthen promotional and educational works on various fronts. These include distributing promotional leaflets at the Airport, reminding citizens to stay vigilant when traveling abroad, conducting on-site inspections to strengthen prevention, etc. The Government’s inter-departmental Pest Control Steering Committee will also disseminate relevant information to other stakeholders, so as to enhance the public’s understanding of how to prevent the import of bedbug infestation.
 
     The EEB will report to the Deputy Secretary for Administration on the work on preventing the import of bedbug infestation. The Deputy Secretary for Administration will closely review the situation, guide inter-departmental work on bedbug prevention and strengthening prevention of imported infestation, to minimise the chance of importing bedbug infestation from overseas into the Hong Kong community, and strive to safeguard environmental hygiene.