Pest Control Steering Committee reviews follow-up work at Tsing Yi Nature Trails in preventing chikungunya fever and discusses next year’s work plan in mosquito and rodent control (with photos/video)

     ​The interdepartmental Pest Control Steering Committee (PCSC) held its 22nd meeting today (December 22) to review in details the follow-up work in preventing chikungunya fever (CF) at Tsing Yi Nature Trails (the Trails) by departments and stakeholders. It also discussed the 2026 work plans in mosquito and rodent control, to assist departments in formulating corresponding prevention and control measures in areas under their purview in the coming year.

Prevention and control of CF       Specifically targeting confirmed cases who visited the Trails or the surrounding area, the FEHD has promptly allocated resources to carry out targeted actions in the area upon receiving notifications on November 13 of the first case involving a patient who had visited the Trails and reported mosquito bites. The FEHD has continuously applied a combination of methods to eliminate vector mosquitoes. In addition to ultra-low volume knapsack sprayers to eliminate adult mosquitoes, large ultra-low volume foggers have been deployed at suitable locations, and a robot dog has been put on trial to enhance operational effectiveness. The FEHD has been collaborating with related departments (including the Kwai Tsing District Office, the District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Drainage Services Department (DSD)) and stakeholders in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds and potential sites with mosquito problems. Efforts include clearing discarded containers and garbage that could cause stagnant water and applying larvicide oil or larvicides in areas with stagnant water that cannot be removed immediately. The FEHD has also started a trial to use drones in identifying mosquito breeding grounds and set up new mosquito trapping devices to control and reduce vector density. At the same time, the FEHD has conducted inspections in the area, initiating prosecution and issuing statutory notices requiring the elimination of stagnant water to responsible persons at construction sites and residential premises found with mosquito breeding or water accumulation. The FEHD has also distributed pamphlets to residents of nearby housing estates, urging the public to remain vigilant against mosquito infestations and take personal protective measures to prevent mosquito bites.

     The Kwai Tsing District Office, the District Lands Office of Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, the CEDD and the DSD have respectively strengthened efforts in areas under their purview along the Trails in eliminating potential mosquito breeding grounds.