The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched an anti-rodent operation in designated target areas in various districts on May 8 to strengthen rodent disinfestation and enforcement action, with a view to enhancing the effectiveness of rodent prevention and control work at district level and public awareness of preventing rodent infestation.

     An FEHD spokesman said, "To intensify district rodent prevention and control work, the FEHD launched a two-month anti-rodent operation in designated target areas on May 8, and has adopted multi-pronged strategies to combat the rodent problem. Since the launch of the operation around one month ago, the FEHD has strengthened rodent disinfestation work at problematic spots including rear lanes, refuse collection points, markets, hawker bazaars, cooked food markets and construction sites. As at May 31, the FEHD had placed poisonous bait at 2 285 locations and placed 5 300 traps, and had destroyed 120 rat holes, with 281 dead rodents collected and 230 rodents caught in traps.

     "The FEHD has also stepped up inspections of food premises, markets, hawker bazaars and cooked food markets. Enforcement action against food premises causing poor environmental hygiene conditions, scullery and food preparation at rear lanes, and improper handling and disposal of rubbish have been strengthened. As at May 31, the FEHD had conducted 2 992 inspections and issued 1 575 health advisories, 843 verbal warnings and 13 warning letters, and had taken out 117 prosecutions.

     "In addition, FEHD staff have enhanced street cleaning services and cleaning of public markets and hawker bazaars in the target areas, including sweeping and washing of streets and rear lanes, and clearance of miscellaneous articles and waste on the streets, in public markets and at hawker bazaars, so as to keep the environment clean."

     The spokesman added that effective rodent prevention and control work hinges on the active participation of the community. The public should keep the environment clean, handle and dispose of rubbish properly and carry out rodent proofing measures to prevent rodent infestation. The FEHD stepped up public education and publicity during the operation and arranged 95 health talks for building management offices of private buildings, persons-in-charge of food premises, and market and hawker stall operators to provide information and technical advice on rodent prevention and control.

     The spokesman said that the anti-rodent special operation will end on July 7, while the second phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign, which lasts for 10 weeks, will commence on July 3. The FEHD called on members of the public to continue to actively participate in the anti-rodent campaign by eliminating the three survival requirements of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages, meaning the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents, as well as blocking their passages, so as to work for a clean and hygienic community.

Ends/Wednesday, June 7, 2017
Issued at HKT 18:00

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