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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (February 6) that the Rodent Infestation Rate (RIR) for the second half of 2011 dropped to 1.5 per cent, compared with 1.8 per cent in the first half of the year.
The overall RIR for 2011 was 1.7 per cent, which was similar to that of 1.5 per cent last year, indicating that rodent infestation in public areas in the city was generally under control.
According to a territory-wide survey conducted by the FEHD, the RIRs fell below 10 per cent for all districts in 2011. The three districts with the highest RIRs were Sham Shui Po (3.2 per cent), Kwun Tong (3.1 per cent) and Yuen Long (3 per cent).
"Relatively higher RIRs in some districts were mainly caused by poor hygiene conditions at specific spots and rear lanes, including accumulation of disused articles, indiscriminate disposal of refuse and improper handling of food remnants, which provide shelter and food for rodents," a spokesman for the FEHD said.
"The FEHD has stepped up its anti-rodent efforts in the three districts with relatively higher RIRs and in the Southern District, where a relatively large increase in the RIR was recorded in the last six months of 2011. Those efforts include strengthening street cleansing, eliminating and trapping rats in rear lanes, filling rat holes, and carrying out public health education and publicity on rodent control," he added.
While the FEHD will continue its routine anti-rodent efforts in all districts, effective rodent prevention and control hinges on sustained co-operation between the community and the Government, the spokesman said.
To encourage active participation of the public in rodent control and prevention, the FEHD will also roll out a territory-wide anti-rodent campaign in two phases this year. The first phase was launched in late December last year and will run until February 24. The second phase will be launched on July 30 and will run until September 28.
During the campaign period, inspections and rodent control measures will be stepped up in target areas, which include markets, market buildings, hawker bazaars, typhoon shelters, lanes close to food premises, and other problematic spots and their peripheries.
In order to effectively promote pest control work on various fronts, the department will continue to organise territory-wide publicity and educational events, and work closely with District Councils in taking forward pest control campaigns and public education.
For more information on rodent control measures and the RIR, please visit the FEHD website at www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, February 6, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:32
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