The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (Singapore ETO) today (May 7) hosted a seminar titled “Discover Northern Metropolis – Hong Kong’s New Growth Engine” to introduce the Northern Metropolis to the business community in Singapore and highlight the opportunities it offers to overseas investors and enterprises.

     Co-organised by Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and supported by the Singapore Business Federation and the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce, the seminar attracted more than 100 participants from a wide range of sectors, including innovation and technology, logistics, real estate, etc.

     In her opening remarks, the Director of the Singapore ETO, Ms Elsa Hung, highlighted that the National 15th Five-Year Plan explicitly supports Hong Kong’s development into an international innovation and technology hub, with particular emphasis on accelerating the Northern Metropolis as a key driver and major platform for innovation-led growth. Together with its proximity to Shenzhen’s metropolitan core and its dynamic innovation and technology ecosystem, the Northern Metropolis embodies a “twin cities” collaboration concept. This synergy connects Hong Kong’s financial strengths and international networks with Shenzhen’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, creating a world-class innovation and technology hub.

     The Head of Business and Professional Services of Invest Hong Kong, Mr Herman Tse, provided a comprehensive overview of the Northern Metropolis, covering its development blueprint, investment potential, and business opportunities. He also outlined its role as a strategic gateway for global enterprises seeking access to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

     Joining virtually from Hong Kong, Senior Manager (Ecosystem Development) of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Mr James Xu and the Chief Marketing Officer of LPS, Mr Dickson Ma, shared insights into the innovation and technology ecosystem within the Northern Metropolis. They highlighted how the development can foster collaboration among enterprises, investors and research institutions.

     The seminar also featured a panel discussion. The Head of Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of Singapore ETO, Mr Melvin Lee, and the Director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Singapore office, Ms Gloria Chan, joined the speakers to exchange views and address participants’ questions on development prospects and specific investment opportunities in the Northern Metropolis.

     The event concluded with a networking reception, where participants engaged with speakers, panellists, and fellow business executives to build connections, exchange views and explore potential collaborations.

　　The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (May 7) released the seventh batch of gravidtrap indexes and density indexes for Aedes albopictus in April, covering five survey areas, as follows:
 

District	Survey Area	April 2026
		Area Gravidtrap Index	Area Density Index
Eastern	North Point and Quarry Bay	6.8%	1.1
Sha Tin	Ma On Shan	16.4%	1.2
Kwai Tsing	Kwai Chung East	15.2%	1.3
Tsuen Wan	Tsuen Wan Town	5.2%	1.0
Tuen Mun	Tuen Mun West	17.3%	1.4

　　Among the seventh batch of Area Gravidtrap Indexes covering five survey areas in April, all were below 10 per cent, except for the Area Gravidtrap Indexes of Ma On Shan in Sha Tin District, Kwai Chung East in Kwai Tsing District, and Tuen Mun West in Tuen Mun District.

　　With reference to the data from the past few years, the gravidtrap indexes start to rise from April or May every year. The actual timing of the increase and its extent are affected by factors like weather and rainfall. The average temperature and rainfall in April this year were higher than those of the same period last year, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding and thus leading to the earlier rise of gravidtrap indexes this year, but the overall trend and extent of the increase are similar to those of previous years. In response to the rise of gravidtrap indexes, the FEHD, together with relevant departments and stakeholders, has implemented rapid response measures and deployed targeted actions.

　　For Ma On Shan in Sha Tin District, Kwai Chung East in Kwai Tsing District and Tuen Mun West in Tuen Mun District, which recorded indexes exceeding 10 per cent, in accordance with the mechanism implemented by the FEHD in response to the chikungunya fever (CF) situation (i.e. strengthening mosquito control work in areas with a gravidtrap index between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, instead of 20 per cent or above under the original mechanism), the FEHD is collaborating with relevant departments and stakeholders to identify locations with high mosquito infestations and carry out intensive and targeted mosquito control measures. In particular, the gravidtrap data for Ma On Shan showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks, schools, and public and private housing estates; the gravidtrap data for Kwai Chung East showed that areas with more mosquito problems included parks and public and private housing estates; and the gravidtrap data for Tuen Mun West showed that areas with more mosquito problems included hospitals and clinics, parks, and public and private housing estates.

　　In response to the high-risk areas identified in the said survey areas, the FEHD has issued a statutory notice to a relevant estate management company following the discovery of stagnant water in a public housing estate in Ma On Shan in Sha Tin District, requiring the clearance of such item within a specified timeframe. The FEHD and the relevant departments are following up on the mosquito control work, and will also organise exhibitions, distribute leaflets and posters, and notify residential estates that have subscribed to the gravidtrap Rapid Alert System, advising property management agents and residents to stay vigilant and work together in taking mosquito prevention and elimination measures. In addition, the FEHD will strengthen the monitoring of the gravidtrap index in the areas to review the effectiveness of the mosquito control work.

　　The FEHD has so far released seven batches of gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus in April 2026, covering 62 survey areas. Among these 62 survey areas, one recorded a decrease or remained unchanged as compared to the Area Gravidtrap Index last month (i.e. March 2026), representing that the area’s mosquito infestation improved or maintained a low level. Forty-nine other areas recorded a slight increase, but the indexes were lower than 10 per cent.

　　Public participation is crucial to the 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 collections 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 water in flower vases and scrub their inner surfaces thoroughly, and remove water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week;
• properly cover all containers that hold water to prevent mosquitoes from accessing the water;
• properly dispose of articles that can contain water, such as disposable meal boxes and empty cans; and
• scrub drains and surface sewers with alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

     Starting in August 2025, following the completion of the surveillance of individual survey areas, and once the latest gravidtrap index and the density index are available, the FEHD has been disseminating 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 CF transmission.

     ​Following 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 62 survey areas of the community, with a surveillance period of two weeks. During the surveillance period, 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 from the two weeks of 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#).

     In view of a hantavirus infection cluster on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) said today (May 7) that it had proactively sought further information from the World Health Organization (WHO) and relevant health authorities during the past few days. According to the information provided by the WHO and the relevant health authorities, it has been confirmed that there are no Hong Kong residents on the cruise ship in question. Based on the WHO’s current assessment, the risk to global health posed by the incident is low. As a precaution, the CHP has distributed the latest health information and guidelines to the travel industry. At the immigration level, the CHP will continue to conduct health screenings for arrivals at all boundary control points and perform health assessments on individuals with a fever, referring relevant individuals to hospitals for medical examinations as needed.
      
     According to the WHO’s notification, the cruise ship carried a total of 147 passengers and crew members, who boarded the vessel in Argentina on April 1, 2026. As of May 6, the hantavirus infection cluster involved eight cases (three confirmed and five suspected cases). The first case presented symptoms on April 6. Three of the patients have passed away. Further laboratory testing showed that the hantaviruses in two of the confirmed cases belonged to the Andes genotype, which is currently the only type of hantaviruses confirmed to have limited human-to-human transmission.
      
     “The CHP’s Port Health Division has contacted the Airport Authority Hong Kong, as well as relevant organisations and operators in the travel industry (including the Airline Operators’ Committee Hong Kong, the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, management companies of ferry terminals, cruise operators) to provide them with information on the epidemiological development of the hantaviruses, preventive measures, guidelines and relevant health information, with a view to strengthening health education for travellers and port staff. Furthermore, the CHP has provided information on rodent control to relevant parties and reminded them to implement various rodent control measures and strengthen environmental hygiene monitoring at all boundary control points,” said the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui.
      
     Dr Tsui added that hantavirus infection is a statutory notifiable disease in Hong Kong. All doctors must notify the CHP of any suspected or confirmed cases of hantavirus infection, enabling the CHP to initiate epidemiological investigations and implement prevention and control measures. At the immigration level, the CHP conducts medical assessments of arrivals who appear unwell or have a fever at all boundary control points. The CHP also refers them to hospitals for medical examinations when necessary. The CHP will continue to closely monitor the latest global situation regarding hantavirus and adjust local prevention and control measures in a timely manner based on risk assessments.
      
     Hantavirus is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the faeces, saliva or urine of infected rodents or by inhaling the virus in aerosolised particles of their excreta. Other routes of infection include being bitten or scratched by infected rodents; eating food contaminated with the virus; and touching the eyes, nose or mouth without washing hands after contact with contaminated objects. Human-to-human transmission is relatively rare.
      
     Diseases in humans caused by hantaviruses can be broadly classified into two categories, namely Haemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome and Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome. The incubation period for hantavirus is generally two to four weeks, but can be as short as one week or as long as eight weeks. Depending on the category of infection, symptoms may include fever, intense headache, muscle ache, back pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue and blurred vision. Severe cases may present with respiratory symptoms (such as coughing and shortness of breath), low blood pressure and acute kidney failure. The fatality rate of the disease can be as high as about 40 per cent.
      
     There is currently no vaccine to prevent hantavirus infection. Treatment primarily consists of supportive care. Therefore, seeking medical attention early is crucial.
      
     As of May 6, no cases of hantavirus infection have been reported in Hong Kong this year. Over the past five years, an average of zero to two cases of hantavirus infection have been recorded annually in Hong Kong.
      
     To prevent the hantavirus infection, the public should take the following measures:
 

• Perform hand hygiene frequently. Wash hands with liquid soap and water;
• Eliminate sources of food or nesting places for rodents in living environments to prevent rodent infestation;
• Avoid contact with rodents, handling live or dead rodents with bare hands, entering rodent infested space, handling rodent excreta or nests, keeping wild rodents as pets; handling equipment kept in areas found with rodents, gardening with bare hands; lying on the ground, and living in residences frequented by rodents; and
• Travellers should avoid visiting or staying in areas with poor environmental hygiene and avoid contacting rodents or their excreta. Adventure travellers and campers should take precautions to exclude rodents from tents or other accommodation and to protect all food from rodent contamination.
• Cruise passengers should take the following measures to prevent and reduce the risk of contracting infectious diseases while on board, as they are often in relatively crowded cabin environments during their voyages:

1. contact the cruise line to cancel your trip if you feel unwell before departure;
2. immediately notify the ship’s medical staff and follow their health advice if you feel unwell during the voyage (e.g., fever, cough, vomiting, diarrhoea, etc);
3. maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times during the voyage; 
4. wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated indoor areas.

 
     For more information on hantavirus, please visit the CHP’s website or the DH’s Travel Health Service website.