FEHD strengthens rodent disinfestation and enforcement action during anti-rodent operation in designated target areas
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An FEHD spokesman said, "To intensify district rodent prevention and control work, the FEHD launched a two-month anti-rodent operation again in designated target areas on September 11, and has adopted multi-pronged strategies to combat the rodent problem. During the operation, 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. With the operation being conducted for a month, as at October 10, the FEHD had placed poisonous bait at 4 424 locations and placed 6 714 traps, and had destroyed 247 rat holes, with 444 dead rodents collected and 372 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 October 10, the FEHD has conducted 7 935 inspections and issued 2 013 health advisories, 1 025 verbal warnings and 11 warning letters, and had taken out 222 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 cleaning 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 has stepped up public education and publicity during the operation and arranged 90 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 FEHD called on members of the public to continue to support and participate in the anti-rodent campaign and remember to eliminate the three survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages, meaning the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents, as well as blockage of their dispersal routes, so as to work for a clean and hygienic community.
Ends/Friday, October 20, 2017
Issued at HKT 17:54
Issued at HKT 17:54
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