The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched the first round of its anti-rodent operation in designated target areas in various districts on April 23 to sustain the effectiveness of rodent prevention and control work at the district level.
An FEHD spokesman said today (May 30), "The FEHD is conducting two rounds of the anti-rodent operation, each lasting for two months, in designated target areas again this year, with multi-pronged strategies including improving environmental hygiene and stepping up rodent disinfestation and enforcement actions, to continue targeted rodent prevent and control work in those areas. Since the launch of the first round of the operation on April 23, the FEHD, in the past month, has strengthened district rodent disinfestation work at problematic spots such as rear lanes, refuse collection points, markets, hawker bazaars, cooked food markets and peripheral areas of construction sites. As at May 22, the department placed poisonous bait at 2 773 locations and placed 4 185 traps, and destroyed 190 rat holes, with 354 dead rodents collected and 294 rodents caught in traps.
"During the operation, 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, food preparation and scullery at rear lanes and improper handling and disposal of rubbish were strengthened. As at May 22, the FEHD conducted 6 950 inspections and issued 2 247 health advisories, 1 059 verbal warnings, 15 warning letters, 30 statutory notices and 293 fixed penalty notices and took out 145 prosecutions.
"Furthermore, 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 clearing of refuse and waste in streets, public markets and hawker bazaars, so as to keep the environment clean."
The spokesman stressed that effective rodent prevention and control hinges on the active participation of the community. During the operation, the FEHD has strengthened public education and publicity to remind members of the public to eliminate the three survival conditions of rodents, namely food, harbourage and passages, i.e. the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents, as well as blocking their dispersal routes, so as to combat the rodent problem. The department also arranged 69 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 first round of the anti-rodent operation in designated target areas will end on June 22, while the second phase of the territory-wide anti-rodent campaign, which lasts for 10 weeks, will commence on July 2.
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