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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (February 25) that the Rodent Infestation Rate (RIR) for the second half of 2012 dropped to 1.9 per cent from 2.9 per cent in the first half of the year. The overall RIR for 2012 was 2.4 per cent, representing a slight increase over the 1.7 per cent recorded in 2011.
An FEHD spokesman said, "Rodent infestation in public areas in the city was generally under control. According to a territory-wide survey conducted by the FEHD, the three districts with the highest RIRs were Yuen Long (7.9 per cent), Kowloon City (5.6 per cent) and Kwun Tong (4.1 per cent)."
He added, "The relatively higher RIRs in some districts were mainly caused by poor hygiene conditions at specific spots and rear lanes, including accumulation of disused articles, indiscriminate disposal of refuse and improper handling of food remnants, which provide shelter and food for rodents."
Apart from maintaining the momentum of its regular anti-rodent work (which includes street cleaning, eliminating and trapping rats in rear lanes, filling rat holes, and carrying out public health education and publicity on rodent control in all districts), the FEHD has, in districts with relatively higher RIRs, stepped up anti-rodent efforts; urged food premises, shops and other relevant parties to implement rodent control measures; and encouraged residents to actively participate in the prevention and control of rodents.
The spokesman said, "Effective rodent prevention and control hinges on sustained co-operation between the community and the Government. The FEHD will, as in previous years, roll out a two-phase territory-wide anti-rodent campaign this year to attract public participation. The first phase, launched in mid-January, will run until March 15 while the second phase will be held between July 2 and August 30."
During the campaign period, the FEHD will enhance inspections and rodent control measures in target areas including markets, market buildings, hawker bazaars, typhoon shelters, lanes close to food premises, and other problematic spots and their peripheries.
On the public education front, the FEHD will continue to organise publicity and educational events at different levels of the community across the territory. The department will also work closely with District Councils to effectively drive home messages on rodent prevention and control.
For more information on rodent control measures and the RIR, please visit the FEHD website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, February 25, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:01
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