Leong Iek Hou, who heads the Health Bureau’s (SSM) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), told reporters on the sidelines of an award ceremony yesterday that as Macau has been experiencing higher-than-usual temperatures this winter and spring, the local mosquito ovitrap index* (OI) reached 2.2 percent between February and so far this month, which is significantly higher than the same period last year (0.7 percent in February and 1.2 percent in March in 2025), leading to an increased risk of dengue fever and chikungunya fever transmission.
Dr Leong made the remarks during the “Healthy Enterprise” award ceremony at the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape.
Dr Leong pointed out that the areas with a higher OI are located in the city’s old quarters such as the Patane waterfront area and Fai Chi Kei district, where ageing infrastructure leads to water accumulation and public awareness of prevention remains low.
Dr Leong added that her bureau continues to conduct inspections at high-risk locations to eliminate mosquito breeding sources, adding that starting in March, the frequency of mosquito control operations increased from once to twice a month.
Dr Leong also urged residents to actively adopt “three key mosquito prevention measures”, such as eliminating stagnant water, installing window and door screens, taking protective measures outdoors, actively removing mosquito larvae from their premises, and cooperating with official prevention and control efforts.
‘Healthy Enterprise’ programme benefits 98,512 people
Meanwhile, the award ceremony about the bureau’s “Healthy Enterprise” programme was held yesterday. A total of 26 enterprises met the required standards and were awarded the “Healthy Enterprise” designation, with nine of them receiving the “Excellent Enterprise” distinction; a total of 98,512 people benefited from the programme last year, according to an SSM statement yesterday.
The statement pointed out that the programme benefited 91,664 people in 2024 and 98,512 people in 2025, and is projected to reach nearly 113,000 people in 2026.
SSM Director Alvis Lo Iek Long noted in a speech yesterday that all 26 participating enterprises met the programme’s standards, achieving a 100 percent compliance rate, reflecting active participation and effective implementation, adding that over the course of the year, more than 1,200 health promotion activities were organised, reaching both employees and the public in general, with over 220,000 participants.
Among the awarded enterprises, 12 operate a total of 24 staff canteens, all of which strictly adhere to the programme’s guidelines. More than half of the food options provided in each meal consist of whole grains, vegetables, and fruit, or are prepared with reduced salt, sugar, and oil, benefiting about 86,500 employees daily, Dr Lo said.
Dr Lo pointed out that a total of 168 self-service blood pressure and weight monitoring stations have been set up in employee lounge areas, with over 47,000 employees using them throughout the year, adding that all participating enterprises have promoted workplace stretching exercises.
*The ovitrap index (OI) is a key indicator used in public health to measure the population density of Aedes mosquitoes, the primary vectors for dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. – DeepSeek
Leong Iek Hou, who heads the Health Bureau’s (SSM) Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), speaks to reporters during yesterday’s “Healthy Enterprise” award ceremony at the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape. – Photo: Ida Cheong
