Month: September 2025

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 8) released the 13th batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in August, covering five survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	August 2025
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Central/ Western	Central and Admiralty	3.0%	1.0
Kwun Tong	Yau Tong and Cha Kwo Ling	2.7%	1.0
Tai Po	Tai Po West	5.2%	1.0
Tsuen Wan	Sheung Kwai Chung	0.0%	N/A
Kwai Tsing	Kwai Chung	4.2%	1.0

     Among the 13th batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering five survey areas in August, all were below 10 per cent.

     The FEHD has so far released 13 batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in August 2025, covering 64 survey areas. Among these 64 survey areas, 46 recorded a decrease or remained unchanged in the individual gravidtrap index as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month, i.e. July 2025, representing that the areas’ mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Thirteen other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

     Public participation is crucial to 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:

• tidy up their premises and check for any accumulation of water inside their premises;
• remove all unnecessary water collection and eliminate the sources;
• check 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;
• change the water in flower vases and saucers of potted plants at least once every seven days;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water; and
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as empty lunch boxes and cans.

     Starting in August this year, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD will disseminate the 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.

     â€‹Following the 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 64 survey areas of the community. During the two weeks of surveillance, 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 of the two weeks’ 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#).

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) announced today (September 8) that the 2025/26 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination (SIV) Programmes, including the SIV School Outreach Programme, the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme and the Vaccination Subsidy Scheme (VSS), will commence on September 25. Eligible high-risk groups can receive a free or subsidised SIV through various vaccination programmes. Getting vaccinated well before the winter influenza season can effectively protect one’s health and that of one’s family.

Severe influenza cases drop by 20 per cent as vaccination uptake hits record high
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“Vaccination has been scientifically proven to be one of the most effective means to prevent severe cases of seasonal influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risks of in-patient admission and mortality due to seasonal influenza. During the previous influenza season (2024/25), severe influenza cases decreased significantly among adults and children by 20 per cent and 60 per cent respectively compared to the influenza seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic. School outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses also plummeted by nearly 90 per cent. We believe this is attributable to higher vaccination rates. Under various SIV Programmes, approximately 2.09 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccines were administered, marking an increase of over 10 per cent compared to the 2023/24 influenza season and setting a new historical high. Additionally, SIV coverage rates have increased across all age groups,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.

The local winter influenza season usually begins in January, while the summer surge occurs from July to August. Although no summer influenza has been observed so far this year, the latest surveillance data on the percentage of respiratory specimens testing positive for seasonal influenza viruses, and the influenza-related admission rate in public hospitals, has indicated an upward trend in seasonal influenza activity. The CHP will monitor the trend of influenza activity in the next few weeks.

Five new initiatives of SIV programmes
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“To encourage more residents to receive seasonal influenza vaccines and further increase SIV coverage, the Government will introduce five new initiatives this year to enable public access to seasonal influenza vaccines. These include: expanding the eligible group; further enhancing the SIV School Outreach Programme to cater to students’ needs; providing recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) to better protect elderly living in institutions; launching a pilot scheme to procure part of the seasonal influenza vaccine for private doctors to help stabilise the supply of vaccines; and optimising information dissemination,” Dr Tsui said.

(1) Expanding eligibility coverage
In addition to previously eligible groups, all individuals aged 18 to 49 with chronic medical conditions are eligible for free or subsidised influenza vaccinations this year, regardless of financial status. The eligible groups and public locations offering free or subsidised SIV are listed in the annex.

(2) Further enhancing the SIV School Outreach Programme
In early June, the CHP wrote to all secondary schools, primary schools and kindergartens/child care centres in Hong Kong, inviting them to participate in the SIV School Outreach Programme this season. The CHP also highlighted this year’s new initiative, i.e. all schools may choose to use the live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV (nasal vaccines)) and “hybrid mode”, i.e. schools being allowed to choose both injectable inactivated influenza vaccines (IIV) and LAIV for the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Approximately 2 300 schools (99 per cent) have joined the outreach programme. To safeguard students’ health, the CHP will publish a list of schools not participating in the programme on its official website to remind parents to promptly arrange for children in those schools to receive vaccinations from family doctors.

(3) Providing RIV for elderly living in institutions
The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases under the CHP recommended that RIV be preferred for older adults living in residential care homes in order to provide better protection. In light of this, the CHP has successfully procured RIV this year. Through the Residential Care Home Vaccination Programme, all residents of residential care homes for the elderly and residents aged 65 or above in residential care homes for persons with disabilities can receive the vaccine.

(4) Pilot scheme on vaccine procurement for family doctors
To enhance vaccine supply stability and ensure that eligible high-risk groups can receive SIV through the VSS, the DH has also helped procure an additional 100 000 doses of injectable IIV for Specified VSS Family Doctors this year, in addition to continuing to procure vaccines for itself, the Hospital Authority and relevant institutions. Family doctors who accept this arrangement cannot charge recipients any additional fees, thereby reducing the financial burden on citizens and providing additional incentives for them to receive vaccinations at private clinics.

(5) Optimising information dissemination
The website providing information on private doctors participating in the VSS will be optimised to allow doctors to update their details in real time. The website’s search function will also be enhanced to enable members of the public to search for doctors who offer vaccines without any co-payment, or vaccination venues for different types of seasonal influenza vaccines.

To help members of the public manage their personal health records and healthcare services more effectively, and facilitate continuity of care provided by healthcare professionals, eligible individuals aged 18 or above must register for eHealth starting this year to receive subsidised or free seasonal influenza vaccines.

Over 1 000 vaccination sites available for public convenience
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To make vaccinations more accessible, the Government will open all 29 of the DH’s Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged 6 months to under 2 years. Moreover, the 25 District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission, and 74 general outpatient clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For a list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP’s Vaccination Schemes page. Starting from 9am on September 22, parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccinations at designated MCHCs via the online booking system.

Over 1 500 doctors have applied to join the VSS. The Government will provide a subsidy of $260 per dose of vaccination. For the list of VSS doctors, please visit: apps.hcv.gov.hk/Public/en/SPS/Search.

The sooner one receives seasonal influenza vaccines the better
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The Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases recommended that the vaccine combination for the 2025/26 influenza season should align with the latest recommendations from the World Health Organization. The use of various locally registered trivalent and quadrivalent seasonal influenza vaccines was recommended, including injectable IIV, LAIV (nasal vaccines) and injectable RIV. For more information, please refer to the Scientific Committee’s recommendations.

Dr Tsui reminded the public that it takes approximately two weeks for the body to develop sufficient antibodies for effective protection after receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine. Therefore, for the sake of personal and public health, individuals should get vaccinated as early as possible before the onset of the winter influenza season.

For more information on the SIV programmes, visit the webpage or call the CHP during office hours at 2125 2125.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

A runway incident occurred at Hong Kong International Airport at around 10.34am today (September 8). A Hong Kong Express Airways (UO) A320 passenger aircraft (flight number: UO235) arriving from Beijing Daxing International Airport was suspected to have deviated from the North Runway after landing. Air traffic control personnel immediately notified the Airport Authority and other relevant parties according to the established procedures. No injuries were reported in the incident.

The Civil Aviation Department (CAD) attaches great importance to the incident and is closely following up with UO. The CAD has also reported the incident to the Air Accident Investigation Authority in accordance with the established mechanism and is sparing no effort to support the investigation.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at regular intervals:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (September 8) that due to urgent clearance work after the typhoon, the Tsing Yi Swimming Pool in Kwai Tsing District has been temporarily closed, and will be reopened at 7pm today.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

     The Government Property Agency (GPA) is inviting tenders for a three-year tenancy for the government properties at Shop No. 5 at the Outbound Restricted Area on the First Floor and Store Room No. 7 at the Inbound Restricted Area on the Second Floor of the Passenger Terminal Building, Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point, New Territories, Hong Kong, subject to the provisions for renewal for a further term of two years.

     The shop premises should only be used for general retail and/or services purposes (including storage, sale and display of duty-free liquor and tobacco, wine, perfume, cosmetics, general merchandise and other ancillary products), but cannot be used for fast food shops, restaurants, godowns, residential and office uses, or the sale of any goods or commodities that are subject to export control under the laws of Hong Kong, any regulations made thereunder and any amending legislations. The store room should only be used for storage purposes related to the operation of business of the aforementioned shop premises.

     The tender notice was uploaded today (September 8) to the GPA Property Portal: www.gpaproperty.gov.hk/en/index.html. Tender documents are available for collection at the GPA, 9/F, South Tower, West Kowloon Government Offices, 11 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, during the period from 9am to 6pm from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. The documents can also be downloaded from the GPA Property Portal.

     Interested tenderers who wish to conduct a site inspection of the premises should make a prior appointment with the GPA by calling 3842 6915 or 3842 6917 by September 12.

     Tenderers must submit their tenders by placing them in the Government Logistics Department Tender Box located on the Ground Floor, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point, Hong Kong, before noon on September 29. Late tenders will not be accepted.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible and repeat it at suitable intervals:

     The Marine Department has received notification from the Hong Kong Pilots Association Limited that the pilotage service will partially resume from 5.30pm today (September 8) and will fully resume when weather conditions improve. Shipowners, agents, masters and other port users are advised to pay attention.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

As Tropical Cyclone Tapah is moving away from Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Observatory issued the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 at 1.10pm today (September 8). It replaced the No. 8 Southeast Gale or Storm Signal issued at 9.20pm last night (September 7).

As at 1.20pm today, the Home Affairs Department has opened 29 temporary shelters in various districts and 221 people have sought refuge at the shelters.

As at 1pm today, the Government’s 1823 Call Centre and the Fire Services Department received 35 reports and 127 reports of fallen trees respectively. The Drainage Services Department has received three confirmed cases of flooding.

     No report of landslide has been received so far.

According to the Hospital Authority, as at 12pm today, nine males and three females have been injured during the typhoon period and received medical treatment at the Accident and Emergency Department of public hospitals.

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

“With the change to Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 3, the Social Welfare Department advises members of the public not to take their children or family members to units providing child care centre services, services under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, and after school care programmes for pre-primary or primary school children, elderly services centres, day pre-school rehabilitation services units or day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, integrated vocational training centres and day activity centres. These centres and services units will resume as normal in two hours after the cancellation of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them, if the weather and conditions permit. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the centres or services units concerned in advance.”

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention duty announcers, radio and TV stations:

Please broadcast the following special announcement immediately, and repeat it at frequent intervals:

“Due to the inclement weather, the Social Welfare Department advises members of the public not to take their children or family members to units providing child care centre services, services under the Neighbourhood Support Child Care Project, and after school care programmes for pre-primary or primary school children, elderly services centres, day pre-school rehabilitation services units or day rehabilitation units including sheltered workshops, integrated vocational rehabilitation services centres, integrated vocational training centres and day activity centres. These centres and services units will resume as normal in two hours after the cancellation of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8, to serve those whose families cannot provide alternative care for them, if the weather and conditions permit. Members of the public who have the need for the services mentioned may contact the centres or services units concerned in advance.”