Government and property management industry join hands to prevent chikungunya fever with major professional seminar to enhance community mosquito control capacity (with photos)
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) hosted a large-scale seminar for the property management sector today (August 19). The event aimed to provide the latest information on chikungunya fever (CF) and mosquito prevention and control measures, further strengthening the community's mosquito and disease prevention network.
The seminar was targeted at holders of the Property Management Practitioner Licence and property management professionals. The Chairman of the PMSA, Dr Wong Kong-tin, delivered a welcome speech, and the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young, also addressed the seminar. Medical and Health Officer of the Communicable Diseases Branch of the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health, Dr Lui Siu-yee; and Head of the Disease Response and Education Unit of the FEHD, Ms Tsang Wing-sze, shared updates on CF, as well as the strategies and measures for mosquito prevention and control.
In her speech, Ms Young said, "The Environment and Ecology Bureau is highly concerned about the recent imported cases of CF. Effective mosquito control requires the collaboration not only among government departments but also among stakeholders and every member of the public. The property management industry, whose work is closely intertwined with people's daily lives, plays a crucial role in maintaining environmental hygiene. The Government will continue to work closely with the industry on various fronts to improve living environment and hygiene standards of the properties across Hong Kong."
The PMSA said that the industry will actively support the government's mosquito control efforts and apply the knowledge learned to daily operations, including strengthening inspections in properties, clearing stagnant water and delivering mosquito prevention information to residents.
The FEHD calls on property management sector to collaborate with the Government to step up mosquito prevention and control measures within their properties. These include:
- Strengthening publicity of mosquito prevention and control by displaying promotional posters, leaflets or notices at housing estates, lift lobbies and prominent areas to raise residents' awareness of mosquito prevention;
- Assigning designated staff for mosquito prevention and control work, and conduct inspections of common areas of the property at least once a week;
- Maintaining environmental hygiene, properly dispose of water-storing trash in covered litter containers;
- Tightly cover all water containers, water storage tanks and wells;
- Changing water in flower vases and containers with water plants at least once a week, and remove the water from saucers;
- Keeping drains clear to prevent clogging, scrub and clean drains and surface drainage channels with alkaline detergent at least once a week;
- Making large holes in tyres used as anti-bumping measure and fill up bamboo stumps with sand or soil in car parks to present accumulation of water;
- Leveling uneven ground surfaces, and fill up key holes on manhole covers with sand or cover them with plastic key hole plugs or sticky tape; and
- Checking umbrella stands, holders and air-conditioner drip trays to prevent water accumulation.
Around 230 property management professionals attended the seminar in person while over 2,900 people watched the live broadcast online.
Ends/Tuesday, August 19, 2025
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Property Management Services Authority jointly held a large-scale seminar for the property management sector today (August 19), providing practitioners with the latest information on chikungunya fever and mosquito prevention and control measures. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young, addressing at the seminar.
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) and the Property Management Services Authority (PMSA) jointly held a large-scale seminar for the property management sector today (August 19), providing practitioners with the latest information on chikungunya fever and mosquito prevention and control measures. Photo shows the Permanent Secretary for Environment and Ecology (Food), Ms Irene Young (front row, fourth left); Assistant Director of the FEHD Mr Peter Poon (front row, fourth right); the Chairman of the PMSA, Dr Wong Kong-tin (front row, centre); other guests and participants.