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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has urged people to step up efforts against rodent infestations and stay alert to the potential risk of rodent-borne diseases such as scrub typhus and spotted fever.
The appeal was made by the department's Consultant (Community Medicine) (Risk Assessment and Communication), Dr Ho Yuk-yin, at a press conference today (July 7) announcing the launching of the enhancement phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign 2006 next Monday (July 10).
It is encouraging to see the rodent infestation rate (RIR) drop in the past few years, from 16% in 2000 to 4.4% in 2005, and to 2.5% for the first half of this year.
"However, we must not be complacent, especially when there is an upsurge in local scrub typhus cases," Dr Ho said.
The Department of Health said the number of local scrub typhus cases increased from 11 in 2004 to 30 last year. Five such cases have been recorded so far this year.
Most of these cases were recorded in summer and investigations revealed that the majority of the patients caught the disease in rural places during outdoor activities such as trail walking.
He urged people to take action to guard against rodent infestations, adding that the target areas of the Anti-rodent Campaign 2006 were rural places frequented by visitors as well as villages and their nearby areas.
"Removing food sources and eliminating harbourages for rodents are effective ways to combat rodent problems," Dr Ho said.
People visiting rural areas should also take preventive measures: wearing light-coloured long-sleeved clothes and long trousers; applying insect repellent on clothes and exposed parts of the body; walking on footpaths; and avoiding brushing long grasses beside the paths or resting inside humid and dark scrubby areas or under a tree.
Concerning the year-long pilot study on maintaining rat-free villages, which began in December last year, Dr Ho said the average RIR of the six selected villages fell from 13.3% in November last year to 2.2% in May this year.
"Although the figures show substantial improvements, any lapse in rodent control could trigger a rebound in RIR," Dr Ho said.
"We call on the villagers to sustain their anti-rodent efforts.
"If the result is promising, we will extend it to more areas and promote it to estate management and other government departments," Dr Ho said.
The enhancement phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign will last for four weeks from July 10 to August 5. The department will enhance control work in areas with persistent rodent problems and put across anti-rodent messages to the public through television and radio announcements, roving exhibitions, posters, banners and leaflets.
Departments actively participating in the campaign include Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation; Architectural Services; Buildings; Correctional Services; Drainage Services; Environmental Protection; Government Logistics; Highways; Health; Home Affairs; Housing; Immigration; Labour; Lands; Leisure and Cultural Services; Marine; Social Welfare; Water Supplies; the Education and Manpower Bureau and the Hospital Authority.
More information on rodent or pest control measures is available in the department’s website, www.fehd.gov.hk, or through its hotline 2868 0000.
Ends/Friday, July 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:56
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