HK warns against seasonal rise of mosquitoes

Aedes albopictus. Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

After grappling with Covid-19, Hong Kong is raising an alarm against mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika as the hot and rainy weather of summer becomes a favorable for massive mosquito breeding.

A report from the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (June 16) noted an increase to 10 per cent in the monthly gravidtrap index (MGI) for Aedes albopictus in May, from 4.7 per cent in April.

Among the 57 survey areas, the area gravidtrap index (AGI) in four areas exceeded the alert level of 20 per cent. They were Ma Wan (27.1 per cent), Sai Kung Town (21.3 per cent), Lai King (21 per cent) and Sha Tin East (20.2 per cent), the report said.

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The monthly density index (MDI) for Aedes albopictus, on the other hand, rose to 1.4 in May, which indicated that 1.4 Aedes albopictus adults were found in the Aedes-positive gravidtraps, from 1.2 in April. This number of adult mosquitoes was not high, FEHD said.

Nevertheless, FEHD has called for community measures to prevent mosquito breeding to prevent the insect from spreading diseases. The FEHD has collaborated with other government departments to strengthen mosquito prevention and control work. It  reminded the public to carry out effective prevention and control measures. Fogging operations have been done at high-risk areas since April to eradicate adult mosquitoes.

“Aedes albopictus is a kind of mosquito that can transmit dengue fever (DF) as well as Zika virus infection. DF is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, and has become endemic in many countries in Southeast Asia,” a FEHD pokesman said.

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“The World Health Organization also issued warnings that the number of DF cases recorded in Asia last year was higher than before. As Hong Kong has recorded this year's first local DF case in April and the dengue activity in neighboring areas has remained high, and Hong Kong's hot and rainy summer is conducive to the proliferation of mosquitoes, the community must stay vigilant and work with the Government to carry out effective mosquito control measures,” the spokesman added.

Effective mosquito control requires the sustained effort of both the community and the Government.

As Aedes albopictus breeds in small water bodies, the public should carry out effective mosquito prevention and control measures including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing the water in vases and scrubbing the inner surfaces, removing the water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, properly disposing of containers such as soft drink cans and lunch boxes, and drilling large holes in unused tires.

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The spokesman also advised public and estate management bodies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.

Since rural areas and the vicinity of shrubby areas are natural habitats for mosquitoes, other insects and animals, those living in these areas may install mosquito screens on windows and doors if necessary. 

They should take appropriate personal protective measures against mosquitoes, such as avoiding staying in the vicinity of shrubby areas for a long time, wearing light-colored long-sleeved clothes and trousers and applying DEET-containing insect repellent.

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Members of the public are reminded to make reports to relevant government departments via 1823 if mosquito problems are detected.

The FEHD also said n inter-departmental anti-mosquito response mechanism has been activated in the four districts where the AGI reached the alert level.

“Relevant departments have also individually notified the groups under the survey areas concerned that had voluntarily subscribed to the gravidtrap rapid alert system when the AGI reached the alert level of 20 per cent, “ the report said. “Subscribers have been invited to post specially designed alert notices in the common parts of their premises to remind occupants and staff to carry out anti-mosquito measures promptly.”

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A spokesman for the FEHD said, “The major anti-mosquito measures of the All-out Anti-mosquito Operations that commenced in April this year include carrying out fogging in the scrubby areas within a 100-metre radius around residences weekly to kill adult mosquitoes; carrying out inspections, removing stagnant water, applying insecticide and disposing of abandoned water containers weekly to prevent mosquito breeding; and trimming of grass to discourage resting of adult mosquitoes on the site.

“The FEHD and relevant government departments will continue the above mosquito prevention and control work in areas under their purview, and will strengthen publicity and education campaigns in the coming months.

“In addition, the FEHD collaborates with relevant government departments every year to conduct the three-phase Anti-mosquito Campaign. The second phase of the Anti-mosquito Campaign started on April 20 and will last until June 19. During the period, the district offices of the FEHD have targeted areas which have drawn particular concern, such as locations in close proximity to human residences, schools, construction sites, public housing estates, hospitals, illegal cultivation sites, waterfront public and private cargo handling areas, cross-boundary checkpoints, typhoon shelters and cross-boundary ferry terminals, to remove accumulated water and carry out mosquito prevention and control work. The FEHD will, after the second phase of the campaign, conduct territory-wide thematic mosquito prevention and control special operations so as to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign.”

Since April this year, the FEHD has put in place newly designed gravidtraps as a replacement for the ovitraps previously used to directly count the number of adult mosquitoes to enumerate the gravidtrap index and the new density index. The function of the new gravidtrap index is similar to that of the ovitrap index previously used in reflecting the extensiveness of distribution of Aedes albopictus in the survey area. The new density index indicates the average number of adult Aedes albopictus collected in each Aedes-positive gravidtrap in the survey area in order to better quantify the activity level of Aedes albopictus.

The AGI and the area density index (ADI) indicate the extensiveness of distribution and the density of Aedine mosquitoes respectively in that particular survey area, while the MGI and the MDI are enumerated by pooling together all AGIs and ADIs of the same month, which reflects the general situation of Aedes albopictus in all survey areas.

The gravidtrap index for Aedes albopictus is divided into four levels, reflecting the infestation level of Aedes albopictus. Level 1 (less than 5 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is not extensive in the area surveyed. Level 2 (5 per cent to less than 20 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito is slightly more extensive in the area surveyed. Level 3 (20 per cent to less than 40 per cent) indicates that infestation of the mosquito exceeds one-fifth of the area surveyed. Level 4 (40 per cent or above) indicates that almost half of the area surveyed is infested with the mosquito. Specific preventive and control measures will be initiated accordingly.

The FEHD will collect the data of the density index this year to evaluate the effectiveness of mosquito control work. After sufficient data has been collected, the FEHD will establish a reference level for the corresponding prevention and control measures for the density index.

Moreover, in order to enhance dengue vector surveillance, the FEHD will increase the number of survey areas from 57 to 62 from June this year. The five additional survey areas are Wong Tai Sin West, Tseung Kwan O East, Ngau Liu and Muk Min Shan, Ki Lun Shan and Cheung Chau North.

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OFW mother jailed 8 months for World-Wide theft

By Vir B. Lumicao

Quilang in one of the shots taken during the incident ( all photos by Jo Fijo)

A 40-year-old Filipina who was caught by fellow domestic helpers while picking the wallet of her victim in World-Wide House, Central, last month as been sentenced in Eastern Court to eight months in prison.

Elynor S. Quilang, mother of a 14-year-old girl, pleaded guilty today, Jun 16, to a charge of theft before Magistrate Bina Chainrai.

The duty lawyer assigned to Quilang pleaded for a lenient sentence, saying the defendant was supporting her elderly mother and sending her daughter to school.

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But the magistrate was firm and gave Quilang just a one-third discount to her sentence.

“You have committed a very serious offense. I cannot give you a more lenient sentence other than the one-third discount as provided for in the sentencing guidelines. I sentence you to 8 months in jail,” Chainrai said.

 

An officer takes down Quilang's particulars 

Quilang, who was on police bail, was emotionless as she was led by court guards into a holding room next to the courtroom. From there she was to be taken by the police to a van that would take her to jail.

The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of theft, more than a month after her failed attempt to steal the wallet of a fellow domestic worker in the shopping arcade frequented by Filipinos.

Police said the victim, Cristy F. Balungaya, was about to pay for items she bought at Ukay-Ukay Store on the third floor of the mall at 11:22am on May 10 when she noticed her sling shoulder bag, where she had put her wallet, was lighter and unzipped.

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When she turned around she saw Quilang still holding her blue leather wallet, which the police said contained $650, one US$1 bill, Php230, a Philippine ID card and an Octopus card.

The police report said Balungaya took back her wallet and the defendant said “I’m sorry, I stole the wallet.” The officers then arrested the pickpocket. Investigators said there was no CCTV covering the spot where the offense happened.

Quilang on citizen's arrest by fellow OFWs

But videos taken on the same day and shared on Facebook by several people showed a slightly different story: the thief was surrounded and detained by several women, after the victim was reportedly alerted by another Filipina who saw her bag being picked.

Quilang tried to wriggle free but was held by Balungaya and other Filipinas and turned over to building security minutes before the police arrived.

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Joy Fijo, one of those who recorded Quilang’s capture, confirmed to The SUN that the incident happened on the third floor of World-Wide Plaza, the building’s shopping arcade at around 11am.

She said one of the women seen grabbing Quilang by the arm in the video was the victim, Balungaya. When the police arrived, Quilang was taken to a nearby mobile phone shop where she was initially questioned.

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Police then took Quilang to the Central Police Station for further investigation.

Many OFWs have long complained about pickpockets who target workers who pack the mall mostly on the first Sunday of the month to remit money to their families and shop for Philippine products.

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Filipino accused of trying to pay for groceries with stolen credit card

The Eastern Court judge told the defendant he should get a lawyer as he could be jailed if found guilty

A Filipino male was charged in Eastern Court yesterday of attempting to obtain property by deception and of theft for using an allegedly stolen credit card for grocery purchases in Discovery Bay in March.

The defendant, J. Dagohoy, appeared before Magistrate So Wai-tak today, Jun 15. He was set to enter his plea but agreed to delay it when So told him he needed a lawyer to represent him in court.

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So adjourned the hearing until Jun 29 so the prosecution could get further legal advice.

According to the charge sheet, Dagohoy went to a Wellcome Supermarket in Discovery Bay on the evening of Mar 20 and loaded up his shopping cart with assorted items worth a total of $2,975.

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The grocery items included 7 boxes of chocolates, 2 bottles of whiskey, 8 pairs of men’s socks, 6 packs of surgical masks, 4 pairs of stockings.

He took out a Visa card to pay for the goods at the cashier, but the sales lady noticed there was a problem with the card.

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When asked, the defendant reportedly said he owned the credit card and that he was also its authorized user.

Magistrate So asked the defendant if he wanted to get a duty lawyer as the charge against him was serious, and that he could be jailed if he was convicted.

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So said the defendant must have a lawyer in the next hearing because it was not likely he would allow another adjournment. – Vir B. Lumicao

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Tears, fear and cheer for 3 Filipino maids caught up in web of pandemic

By Vir B. Lumicao

Marie went home in February and has been unable to fly back to HK, leading to her termination

The five-month-old coronavirus pandemic has brought about mixed fortunes for three Hong Kong-based Filipino domestic helpers who have been caught up in the health crisis.

Just today, Jun 15, Marie received a message from her Hong Kong female employer, who told her she is being terminated effective today because the employer could no longer wait for her return from her vacation in the Philippines.

Marie, 37, remains stuck in her hometown Alaminos in Pangasinan since going home in February. Until her firing, she had been working for her employer for one and a half years in her first job in Hong Kong.

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“I’m sorry to inform you that I can’t wait you anymore, as you know Jamey is starting the school now in June and he is going to primary school…I was so busy here in Hong Kong,” the employer said in her letter.

“I stopped my work and waiting for you to back for almost half year, it caused me a lot of trouble and I can’t wait you anymore,” she said.

Marie’s friend Esther said the maid was allowed by her employer to take a vacation after completing her first year to be with her husband and their 18-year-old daughter, not knowing that Covid-19 would become a pandemic and impact their lives.

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The employer said she would pay Marie a sum of $5,728 representing a month’s salary of $4,410, a $290 payment for two days of unused annual leave, another $290 for two days of statutory holiday, $638 one-way air fare and $100 travel allowance.

Her friend said Marie was distraught over her sudden loss of employment and was asking if she could fight her case at the Labour Department.

Another Filipina, Ghie, is bored and is thinking of breaking her contract because she, her employer and her ward, have been in Taiwan for six months now. But her employer and her child don’t seem to want to return to Hong Kong just yet.

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In a post on the DWC Help Group’s page on Facebook today, Ghie sought advice on whether to terminate her contract or hang on.

“Kasi po 6 months na kami dito sa Taiwan magmula nung pumutok ang covid virus. Dito na kami, sobrang tagal na namin dito ng amo at alaga ko. Pag tinatanong ko siya kung kailan kami babalik ng HK ay puro sagot nya ng ‘next month’,” Ghie said.

(We have been here in Taiwan for six months, since the covid virus spread. It's been awhile since I arrived here with my employer and ward. But every time I ask when we might go back to Hong Kong, she would say, 'next month')

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“Naka ilang next month na, nandito pa din kami, tapos wala pang off. Mabait naman sila kaya lang ito ang problema ko, ayaw niya bumalik ng HK hangga’t extend visa daw pero gusto ko ng bumalik ng HK… ang lungkot kasi dito sa Taiwan.”

(That 'next month' has been told to me a couple of times but we're still here, and I don't get to have a day off. They (employers) are kind, but my problem is, they don't want to go back to Hong Kong and keep extending their visas, but I want to go back to Hong Kong. It's lonely out here in Taiwan).

Group members advised Ghie to be patient and to take it easy, as Taiwan is a much better place to be than Hong Kong. Others cautioned her not to bug her employer.

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“Mas maganda diyan sa Taiwan ... Mabait naman amo mo at sinasahuran ka naman ng maayos-ayos. Baka mamaya, kapag nagpumilit kang bumalik sa HK ay iterminate ka pa,” said one.

(It's better there in Taiwan. Your employers are kind, anyway, and you're paid properly. If you insist on coming back to Hong Kong, you might get terminated).

Another commented that as long as Ghie gets paid completely, she should not worry about her employer. 

“Mapalad ka pa din kasi sa dinami-dami ng gustong pumunta dito eh iilan lang ang nakakapunta...kaya swerte kapa din.”

(You're still lucky because of so many people who want to  visit there, only a few get to go. So you're lucky).

Sheena has been quarantining in style at Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore

A third worker, Sheena B. Salero, considers herself  really lucky. Just about a year ago, she was still being called a “slave” by her former employer’s young son. When she scolded the 8-year-old boy, he said that was how his Mainland mom referred to the helper.

But Sheena’s fortune changed when, on finishing her contract last year, she got employed by a generous couple who posted a wanted ad for a helper in a Facebook group page, Social Justice for Migrant Workers.

In the short time that she has worked for them, Sheena has been to Thailand, where the couple has a vacation house; and to Singapore, where they have an office.

When Covid-19 crept into Hong Kong just before the Lunar New Year, her employers decided to move to Singapore. Sheena went with them, but was sent back to Hong Kong to wait for her Singapore visa here.

Even when she was practically doing nothing living in the employers’ flat in Hong Kong, she received her salary and food allowance from her employers, who also checked on her often.

Sheena finally received her visa last week, and her employers immediately bought her air ticket.

She flew out of Hong Kong last Saturday, Jun 13, to join her employers. She is now on her third day of quarantine at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore where she was billeted by her kindly employers, while the city-state’s labour officers monitor her regularly.

Sheena still cannot believe that after two years of hard work, lack of food and sleep, and verbal abuse from her previous employers, she would be where she is now.

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3 quarantined OFWs not given food by HK employers

By Daisy CL Mandap

One of the workers spent her quarantine in Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui

At least three Filipina domestic workers who recently arrived in Hong Kong were not given any food by their employers while under quarantine in various hostels in Hong Kong.

This was according to a group that took on the task of feeding the three workers, who were reportedly too scared of losing their jobs that they asked that the Consulate or the Hong Kong Labour Department not be informed about their plight.

But according to Cynthia Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, those who are faced with such a problem should not hesitate to ask for help, as the Hong Kong Labour Department has made it clear that employers should pay for all quarantine expenses.

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Philippine Labour Attache Mel Dizon also issued a memorandum on Mar 17, reminding employment agencies to inform employers that: (1) they should allow their domestic workers to spend their home quarantine with them; or (2) if they choose to make them stay in another place, to provide for all their expenses.

“It could be that the employers did not know about their obligations, or were assured by their agencies that they need not provide for food as well,” said Tellez. “In any case, they should complain because what happened to them was not right.”

Tellez (left) with Carnay: All workers who are not treated right should complain

But in the three cases involved, it could also be that no agency was involved.

Janette Carnay of the Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants who was among those who helped the workers, one had just come back from a vacation in the Philippines, while the two had just moved to new employers after finishing their previous contracts. 

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In these cases, no agency intervention would have been necessary.

Carnay said the workers first sought help from the Filipino community group, Social Justice for Migrant Workers, whose founder, Marites Palma, relayed their request about their case not being reported to labor authorities, fearing that could lead to their termination.

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This was despite being advised by Palma's group that their employers were legally bound to pay for all their quarantine expenses, and to make sure they remained healthy.

As the workers were forbidden by quarantine regulations from leaving their rooms, the group ended up feeding the workers for the entire 14-day quarantine.

Palma's group fed the 3 workers who asked not to let authorities know about their plight 

The helpers are now reportedly with their respective employers, after returning negative results for their second Covid-19 tests just before ending their quarantine.

The worker she assisted, said Carnay, stayed at Chungking Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui. The worker was reportedly told by her employers to pack a lot of instant noodles, not realizing that was all she would have eaten if nobody came to help her.

All that the employer gave the worker was one lunch box, said Carnay.

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“Takot na takot sila na baka bigla silang bitawan ng mga employer nila,” she said.

(They were so scared that their employers would let go them immediately <if they complained>)

A cursory reading of relevant advisories would, however, reveal that employers are strictly prohibited from terminating their domestic helpers during the quarantine period. More so, if they get sick of Covid-19.

The payment of salaries is another thing, however, as the HK Labour Department merely advised employers “to be considerate and show understanding” when a worker is quarantined, and does not contract any disease during the 14-day period.

Fortunately, this case of no food being provided to a quarantined domestic worker would appear to be the exception, rather than the rule.

A check with members of the online group, Domestic Workers Corner, showed that nearly all who had to undergo quarantine on their return to Hong Kong were allowed by their employers to return to their homes.

Most were paid their salaries during the quarantine period, even those who spent the entire time inside their rooms. In these cases, the employers themselves reportedly prepared the helpers’ meals.

With about 10,000 Filipino domestic workers set to take up employment in Hong Kong in the next few months, however, it remains to be seen whether such a pattern would continue.

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