Hong Kong – FEHD releases 4th batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May (with pictures)

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 21) launched the 4th batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 12 study locations, as follows:

The 4th batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May consists of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 6 study locations and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 6 study locations. Amongst which, 6 study locations tape-recorded gravidtrap indexes above 10 percent, while Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District taped a gravidtrap index above 20 percent. The gravidtrap indexes of 6 study locations, specifically Kennedy Town and Shek Tong Tsui in Central and Western District; North Point and Quarry Bay in Eastern District; Shau Kei Wan and Sai Wan Ho in Eastern District; Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau in Southern District; Tai Po East in Tai Po District; and Tuen Mun South in Tuen Mun District, have actually tape-recorded a decline as compared to the indexes tape-recorded in the last study duration, showing the development of pertinent mosquito control work.

With recommendation to the information from the previous couple of years, the gravidtrap indexes begin to increase from April or May every year. The real timing and degree of the increase are impacted by elements like weather and rains. The typical temperature level and rains taped in April this year were greater than those in the very same duration in 2015, producing beneficial conditions for mosquito development and breeding. As an outcome, the increase in gravidtrap indexes took place previously this year. With the boost in rains in May, the gravidtrap indexes are anticipated to increase even more.

For study locations which taped indexes surpassing 10 percent, in accordance with the system executed by the FEHD in reaction to the chikungunya fever (CF) scenario (i.e. enhancing mosquito control operate in locations with a gravidtrap index in between 10 percent and 20 percent, rather of 20 percent or above under the initial system), the FEHD is teaming up with pertinent departments and stakeholders to determine areas with high mosquito invasions and perform extensive and targeted mosquito control procedures. The FEHD has actually started 2 prosecutions versus the pertinent building and construction website professionals following the discovery of mosquito breeding at building websites in Tai Po District and Southern District. Following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers in a park, a building website, a personal housing estate, a center and a personal facilities in Tai Po District, Central and Western District, as well as Southern District, the FEHD has actually released 5 statutory notifications to the accountable persons-in-charge, needing the clearance of such products within a defined timeframe. The FEHD, the pertinent departments and stakeholders are acting on the mosquito control work, and will likewise arrange exhibits, disperse brochures and posters, and inform property estates that have actually registered for the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, recommending home management representatives and citizens to remain alert and interact in taking mosquito avoidance and removal procedures. In addition, the FEHD will enhance the tracking of the gravidtrap index in the locations to examine the efficiency of the mosquito control work.

Public involvement is essential to the reliable control of mosquito issues. The FEHD interest members of the general public to continue to interact in reinforcing individual mosquito control procedures, consisting of:

• clean up their facilities and look for any build-up of water inside the properties;
• get rid of all unneeded water collections and remove the sources;
• check family products (those positioned in outside and open locations in specific), such as refuse containers, vases, a/c drip trays, and laundry racks to avoid stagnant water;
• modification water in flower vases and scrub their inner surface areas completely, and get rid of water in dishes under potted plants a minimum of when a week;
• effectively cover all containers that hold water to avoid mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• effectively deal with short articles that can consist of water, such as non reusable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrub drains pipes and surface area drains with alkaline cleaning agent a minimum of when a week to eliminate any mosquito eggs.

Beginning in August 2025, following the conclusion of the security of specific study locations, and when the most recent gravidtrap index and the density index are readily available, the FEHD has actually been distributing pertinent info through news release, its site and social networks. It intends to enable members of the general public to rapidly comprehend the mosquito invasion circumstance and reinforce mosquito control efforts, consequently minimizing the threat of CF transmission.

Following suggestions from the World Health Organization and considering the regional scenario in Hong Kong, the FEHD establishes gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne illness have actually been tape-recorded in the past, in addition to in largely inhabited locations such as real estate estates, health centers and schools to keep an eye on the breeding and circulation of Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which can transfer CF and dengue fever. At present, the FEHD has actually established gravidtraps in 62 study locations of the neighborhood, with a monitoring duration of 2 weeks. Throughout the monitoring duration, the FEHD will gather the gravidtraps when a week. After the very first week of security, the FEHD will instantly take a look at the glue boards inside the obtained gravidtraps for the existence of adult Aedine mosquitoes to put together the Gravidtrap Index (First Phase) and Density Index (First Phase). At the end of the 2nd week of security, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards for the existence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Information from the 2 weeks of security will be integrated to get the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in various study locations, along with details on mosquito avoidance and control procedures, are readily available on the department’s web page (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/dengue_fever/Dengue_Fever_Gravidtrap_Index_Update.html#).