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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch the four-week promotional phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign 2007 next Tuesday (January 2).
During the campaign, relevant departments will step up anti-rodent operations and conduct relevant publicity activities.
"Old tenement buildings built before 1970 without building management companies will be the target areas of the campaign," the department's Pest Control Officer-in-charge, Mr Yuen Ming-chi, said today (December 29).
"Although the rodent problem is not serious in the territory on the whole and the rodent infestation rate (RIR) dropped from 4.4% in 2005 to 2.9% this year, there should be no slackening in rodent prevention."
He explained that poor environmental hygiene and structural defects of buildings could influence the degree of rodent infestation inside the buildings and their peripheries.
He urged people to continue their efforts on rodent control and take preventive measures including keeping the environment clean; leaving no food for rodents; clearing away refuse and disused articles at homes and in the communal areas of the buildings; repairing any holes or crevices in ceilings, walls or floors.
Departments 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.
For further information on anti-rodent measures, visit the department's webpage (www.fehd.gov.hk) or call its hotline at 2868 0000.
Ends/Friday, December 29, 2006
Issued at HKT 14:33
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