Biting midges: Hong Kong brings in insect expert from mainland China after surge in complaints
City saw 17 reports in March and April, more than last year’s annual total
A medical entomologist and military adviser has been flown in from the mainland to study the latest biting midge situation amid an upsurge in complaints over the spring.
There were 17 complaints of biting midge infestations across the city in March and April – more than last year’s annual total.
In light of the public concern, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department said it had commissioned Professor Yu Yixin, head of parasitology at the Third Military Medical School in Beijing, to conduct a second study on the midge situation in Hong Kong.
Yu, an insect expert, conducted a study on biting midges in Hong Kong around a decade ago and was the first to discover 57 different species in the city.
The entomologist said there was not much cause for concern as midges did not pose a high risk to public health. They were not known to transmit viruses and there were only three types of “bloodsucking” midge – the Leptoconops, Lasiohelea and Culicoide.
“The most effective way to control biting midges is to remove the environmental conditions favourable to them,” he said.