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The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will launch a four-week enhancement phase of the Anti-rodent Campaign from Monday (July 9) to strengthen public awareness about the prevention of rodent infestation.
The department conducts regular rodent infestation surveys throughout the territory. The rodent infestation rate has risen slightly from 2.9% in 2006 to 4.4% for the first half of 2007.
"As rodents proliferate rapidly, we must sustain our anti-rodent efforts," the department's Pest Control Officer-in-charge, Mr Yuen Ming-chi, said today (July 6).
Old tenement buildings in all districts built before 1970 with no management companies are the target of this year's Anti-rodent Campaign.
"Apart from carrying out rodent surveys and stepping up control work at the target areas, we will beef up publicity activities throughout the territory with the aid of roving exhibitions, posters, banners and distribution of leaflets in the coming four weeks," Mr Yuen added.
To combat rodent problems, Mr Yuen advised the public to:
* leave no food for rodents;
* keep the environment clean;
* clear away refuse and disused articles at home and in the communal areas of the buildings;
* fill up holes or crevices in ceilings, walls or floors; and
* repair damaged/defective windows and doors.
Government departments and relevant public bodies participating in the campaign include Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department; Architectural Services Department; Buildings Department; Correctional Services Department; Drainage Services Department; Environmental Protection Department; Government Logistics Department; Highways Department; Department of Health; Home Affairs Department; Housing Department; Immigration Department; Labour Department; Lands Department; Leisure and Cultural Services Department; Marine Department; Social Welfare Department; Water Supplies Department; the Education Bureau and the Hospital Authority.
The public can also obtain more information on anti-rodent measures from the department's website (www.fehd.gov.hk) or its hotline on 2868 0000.
Ends/Friday, July 6, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:40
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