Update on dengue fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 11) reported the latest number of dengue fever (DF) cases, and urged the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control and personal protective measures both locally and during travel.
From April 3 to yesterday (April 10), the CHP recorded one imported DF case. The patient had travelled to Sri Lanka during the incubation period.
As of yesterday, 10 imported DF cases have been recorded so far this year. A total of 161 cases of DF were recorded in 2024, including 156 imported and five local cases. In 2023, 62 imported cases of DF were recorded.
Meanwhile, Guangdong Province recorded the first local case of 2025 in Foshan between March 24 and 30, according to the Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2023, ongoing transmissions, combined with an unexpected spike in DF cases, resulted in over 6.5 million cases and more than 7 300 dengue-related deaths reported in over 80 countries/territories. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number of cases.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHPwebsite.
Members of the public returning from areas affected by DF should apply insect repellent for 14 days upon arrival in Hong Kong. If feeling unwell, seek medical advice promptly and provide travel details to a doctor.
The public should take heed of the following advice on mosquito control:
Thoroughly check all gully traps, roof gutters, surface channels and drains to prevent blockage;
Scrub and clean drains and surface channels with an alkaline detergent compound at least once a week to remove any deposited mosquito eggs;
Properly dispose of refuse, such as soft drink cans, empty bottles and boxes, in covered litter containers;
Completely change the water of flowers and plants at least once a week. The use of saucers should be avoided if possible;
Level irregular ground surfaces before the rainy season;
Avoid staying in shrubby areas; and
Take personal protective measures such as wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and trousers, and apply insect repellent containing DEET to clothing or uncovered areas of the body when doing outdoor activities.
DEET-containing insect repellents are effective and the public should take heed of the tips below:
Read the label instructions carefully first;
Apply right before entering an area with risk of mosquito bites;
Apply on exposed skin and clothing;
Use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children*;
Apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent; and
Reapply only when needed and follow the instructions.
* For children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems and may visit the following pages for more information: the DF page of theCHPand theTravel Health Service, the latestTravel Health News,tips for using insect repellents, and the CHPFacebook PageandYouTube Channel.
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) this afternoon (May 2) to exchange views with staff representatives from various grades in the department, and to learn how the department applies artificial intelligence (AI) and data science in official statistical work to enhance its operational efficiency and quality of statistical services. She also took the opportunity to appeal to colleagues to register as voters to fulfil their civic responsibility.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung first met with the Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, and the directorate staff to receive an update on the department's latest developments and key initiatives.
The C&SD staff first introduced the new approach to conducting the 2026 Population Census. Starting from the 2026 Population Census, the C&SD will make more extensive and systematic use of the administrative data collected from various government departments, including immigration records, public housing rentals and welfare payments, to reduce the cost of data collection. The C&SD estimates that the total cost incurred for the 2026 and 2031 Population Censuses will be reduced by about 40 per cent, saving around $680 million.
Mrs Yeung was then briefed by the staff on data science development strategy of the C&SD, which involves exploring and applying various cutting-edge technologies to enhance work efficiency, such as image recognition, web scraping and computer vision technology for intelligent data collection and processing. The staff also introduced two sets of in-house developed AI models, one of which can accurately validate the classification and the unit value of commodities on import/export declarations within a short period of time, thereby enhancing the quality and efficiency of the data validation process. The other set of AI models is applied to the Electronic System for Cargo Manifests to assist in matching the corresponding import/export declarations and cargo manifests. According to the C&SD, using the two sets of AI models to perform relevant duties has reduced the required manpower by nearly half. In addition to streamlining the process, the data quality has also improved significantly. Some of the saved resources will be reallocated to further drive the development of data science and the statistical areas involving big data, with a view to enabling the C&SD to provide higher-quality statistical services to the community.
Mrs Yeung said, "As the expectations and demands of the community on the Government and the civil service have continuously grown, the workload of the Government has been increasing while all departments have to reduce expenditure and streamline manpower at the same time. Innovative thinking and flexibility are key to keeping up with the complicated and ever-changing environment. On the premise of maintaining efficient public services, I request that the departments make good plans and review the necessity of all their posts, leverage technology, and optimise manpower arrangements through reorganisation and reprioritisation of work."
She encouraged the C&SD to continue applying innovative technology to further enhance the timeliness and accuracy of official statistics while streamlining the workflow, so as to meet the demand for statistical information from the Government, the industrial and business sectors and the public.
Before concluding her visit, Mrs Yeung met with staff representatives from various grades in the department to exchange views on matters of concern to them. The 2025 Voter Registration Campaign is under way. Mrs Yeung took the opportunity to remind colleagues to actively register as electors if they have not done so, and for those who have already registered to submit applications for change of particulars if there is any change in their residential address or other registration particulars, and asked them to pass on the message to their families and friends, so asto cast their votes in the 2025 Legislative Council General Election to be held at the end of this year.
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
SCS visits Census and Statistics Department Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
