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Bites, lesions and no open windows: life inside the new Lantau development plagued by mosquitos

The swarm of blood-sucking insects is believed to be coming from a patch of unused government land next to a block of flats in Tung Chung

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An empty patch of government land next to The Visionary in Tung Chung is believed to be the source of the problem. Photo: Sam Tsang

Roaring aircraft were thought to be the only flying pests around when Susanne Gao and her young family moved into their newly-purchased first home at Tung Chung’s The Visionary this Easter. They were welcomed by another, more bloodthirsty sort.

Swarms of “large, long-legged” mosquitoes and their midge cousins have been bugging residents inside their homes at Nan Fung Group’s newly-completed development in north Lantau since the flats began filling up early this year.

Red bites and lesions cover Gao’s toddler daughter’s arms and legs. Windows must be kept shut. Going out to play after 5pm is now deemed dangerous. “It was so serious the first few days, we had to apply mosquito repellent all over her body before her bedtime,” said Ko, who lives on the 15th floor.

Susanne Gao's one and a half year old daughter covered in insect bites.
Susanne Gao's one and a half year old daughter covered in insect bites.
“We took her to the emergency room one night as the bites swelled and she had a fever. I’m worried about [mosquito-transmitted] diseases because there are many kids at this estate,” she said.

She soon realised other residents were also facing the same problems. The 1,419 private flats, which have views of the airport and Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge boundary crossing facilities, sits next to an idle, empty patch of government land along Ying Hei Road, which they suspect is the source of the pests.

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