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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has launched the nine-week, territory-wide enhancement phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign from this week.
A spokesman for the FEHD said today (July 17) that the target areas included public markets, hawker bazaars, lanes and alleys beside food premises, typhoon shelters and other identified problematic spots as well as their surroundings.
He said poor environmental hygiene, improper handling of food leftovers and disposal of refuse as well as structural defects provide breeding grounds for rodents.
To maximise the effect of rodent control measures, he said the key was to deprive rodents of food and hiding places. He urged members of the public, operators of food premises and market tenants to keep the environment clear of debris and leftovers.
The campaign will take a two-pronged approach. On education and publicity, district staff will reach out to residents and spread practical anti-rodent tips through roving talks and interesting booth games. They will also provide assistance to District Councils in promotional activities.
The department's Health Education Exhibition and Resource Centre in Kowloon Park will mount thematic displays and booth games every Sunday in August to get the message across. The centre's annual fun fair day on August 22 will also adopt the anti-rodent campaign as its main theme.
On environmental hygiene, FEHD staff will step up control and cleaning measures in targeted areas. Rodent and pest control teams will maintain vigilance on rodent activities and enhance disinfestations in target areas and the vicinity such as open spaces, sewers, flower beds and refuse collection points and other problematic spots in the districts.
During the campaign period, other government departments, including the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Drainage Services Department, Highways Department, Home Affairs Department, Housing Department, Lands Department, Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Marine Department, will also take anti-rodent measures in areas under their ambits.
The FEHD has been staging territory-wide anti-rodent campaigns in two phases every year since 2000. After mid-2008, the period for each phase has been increased to no less than nine weeks. More information and advice on anti-rodent measures are available on the website (www.fehd.gov.hk).
Ends/Saturday, July 17, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:01
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