Hong Kong – FEHD releases 3rd batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May (with images)

The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 19) launched the 3rd batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in May, covering 19 study locations, as follows:

The 3rd batch of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in May consists of First Phase Gravidtrap Indexes covering 7 study locations and Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering 12 study locations. Amongst which, 14 study locations taped gravidtrap indexes above 10 percent, while Ho Man Tin in Kowloon City District; Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling, and Lam Tin and Sau Mau Ping in Kwun Tong District; Wong Tai Sin West in Wong Tai Sin District; Tai Wai in Sha Tin District; in addition to Ma Wan and Sham Tseng in Tsuen Wan District, tape-recorded gravidtrap indexes above 20 percent.

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 level of the increase are impacted by aspects like weather and rains. The typical temperature level and rains tape-recorded in April this year were greater than those in the exact same duration in 2015, developing beneficial conditions for mosquito development and breeding. As an outcome, the increase in gravidtrap indexes happened previously this year. With the boost in rains in the very first half of 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 action to the chikungunya fever (CF) circumstance (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 working together with appropriate departments and stakeholders to determine places with high mosquito invasions and perform extensive and targeted mosquito control procedures. The FEHD has actually started 3 prosecutions versus the pertinent building and construction website specialist, estate management business and residential or commercial property management business following the discovery of mosquito breeding at a building website, a public housing estate and a personal housing estate in Sha Tin District and Tsuen Wan District. Following the discovery of stagnant water or stagnant water containers at an overall of 4 parks, a building website, 4 public real estate estates, 4 personal real estate estates, a school and 2 personal facilities in Kowloon City District, Kwun Tong District, Wong Tin Sin District, Sha Tin District, Tsuen Wan District and Yuen Long District, the FEHD has actually provided 16 statutory notifications to the appropriate place management business, a building website specialist, estate management business, home management business and accountable individuals of personal properties, needing the clearance of such products within a defined timeframe. The FEHD likewise released a caution letter to a school in Wong Tai Sin District following the discovery of prospective mosquito issues. 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 homeowners to remain alert and collaborate in taking mosquito avoidance and removal procedures. In addition, the FEHD will reinforce the tracking of the gravidtrap index in the locations to evaluate the efficiency of the mosquito control work.

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

• clean their facilities and look for any build-up of water inside the facilities;
• get rid of all unneeded water collections and get rid of the sources;
• check family products (those positioned in outside and open locations in specific), such as refuse containers, vases, air conditioning system drip trays, and laundry racks to avoid stagnant water;
• modification water in flower vases and scrub their inner surface areas completely, and eliminate water in dishes under potted plants a minimum of as soon as a week;
• effectively cover all containers that hold water to avoid mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• correctly deal with short articles that can include water, such as non reusable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrub drains pipes and surface area sewage systems with alkaline cleaning agent a minimum of as soon as a week to get rid of 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 appropriate 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, thus minimizing the threat of CF transmission.

Following suggestions from the World Health Organization and taking into consideration the regional circumstance in Hong Kong, the FEHD establishes gravidtraps in districts where mosquito-borne illness have actually been taped in the past, in addition to in largely inhabited locations such as real estate estates, health centers and schools to keep track of 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 security duration of 2 weeks. Throughout the security duration, the FEHD will gather the gravidtraps when a week. After the very first week of monitoring, the FEHD will right away analyze the glue boards inside the recovered 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 monitoring, the FEHD will immediately examine the glue boards for the existence of adult Aedine mosquitoes. Information from the 2 weeks of monitoring will be integrated to acquire the Area Gravidtrap Index and the Area Density Index. The gravidtrap and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in various study locations, in addition to info 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#).