The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) launched the second round of the two-month anti-rodent operation in designated target areas in various districts to enhance the effectiveness of rodent prevention and control work at the district level.
An FEHD spokesman said today (November 15), "The FEHD is conducting two rounds of the anti-rodent operation in designated target areas again this year. The second round operation started on October 8, adopting multi-pronged strategies including improving environmental hygiene and stepping up rodent disinfestation and enforcement actions to combat the rodent problem. During the operation, the FEHD has strengthened district rodent disinfestation work at problematic spots including rear lanes, refuse collection points, markets, hawker bazaars, cooked food markets and peripheral areas of construction sites. In the past month, as at November 7, the FEHD placed poisonous bait at 6 417 locations and placed 6 703 traps, and destroyed 240 rat holes, with 465 dead rodents collected and 409 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 November 7, the FEHD conducted 8 169 inspections and issued 1 447 health advisories, 591 verbal warnings, 21 warning letters, 341 fixed penalty notices and took out 120 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 clearing of refuse and waste on the streets, in public markets and at 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. The FEHD has stepped up public education and publicity during the operation and arranged 92 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.
He 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, i.e. the elimination of the food sources and hiding places of rodents, as well as blockage of their dispersal routes.