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¡@¡@The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) today (September 30) announced that the Rodent Infestation Rate (RIR) for the first half of 2008 is 6 per cent.
¡@¡@¡§It is slightly higher than the 4.8 per cent full-year RIR for 2007. The half-year RIRs for all the districts fall between 2.1 per cent and 10 per cent, except Tsuen Wan¡¦s 10.9 per cent. This indicates that rodent infestation has been generally under control,¡¨ an FEHD spokesman said.
¡@¡@The RIRs for the remaining 18 districts are: Eastern (2.1 per cent), Tuen Mun (2.7 per cent), Kwai Tsing (3.4 per cent), Yuen Long (3.5 per cent), Southern (3.6 per cent), Kowloon City (3.8 per cent), North (4 per cent), Sham Shui Po (4 per cent), Kwun Tong (4.4 per cent), Central/Western (6 per cent), Wong Tai Sin (7.4 per cent), Yau Tsim (8.1 per cent), Sha Tin (8.4 per cent), Sai Kung (8.6 per cent), Mong Kok (8.8 per cent), Islands (9.3 per cent), Tai Po (9.3 per cent ), Wan Chai (9.7 per cent).
¡@¡@¡§The higher RIRs recorded in some districts are mainly attributable to unsatisfactory hygiene conditions in rear lanes, including accumulation of unused articles and food remnants,¡¨ the spokesman said.
¡@¡@To monitor rodent infestation, the FEHD has been conducting RIR surveys in the territory annually since 2000 by setting baits in selected areas. The ratio of the baits bitten will indicate the annual RIR.
¡@¡@¡§In view of recent public concern over rodent issue, the FEHD decided to announce, starting this year, the whole-territory as well as district RIRs for the first and second-half of the year.¡¨
¡@¡@When the RIR of a district is higher than 10 per cent, the FEHD will strengthen rodent disinfestation operations there. For a district with an RIR reaching 20 per cent or higher, the relevant Government departments will form a joint task force and launch a special rodent control operation to strengthen rodent disinfestations and cleansing services comprehensively, and to promote rodent control in the community.
¡@¡@Apart from day-to-day rodent control measures, the FEHD organises the Anti-Rodent Campaign yearly. During the campaign period, targeted preventive and control measures will be taken, while posters and leaflets will be distributed and forums organised to remind the public and the parties concerned to step up anti-rodent work. The FEHD has also produced a new Announcement of Public Interest this year to appeal more vigorously to the public to control the rodent problem.
¡@¡@In the first eight months of 2008, the FEHD had trapped and eliminated about 20,000 rats, and filled about 5,650 rat holes. About 7,000 warnings were issued in relation to rodent situations spotted during inspections.
¡@¡@¡§The reproductive rate and adaptability of rodents are very strong. We must not slacken our anti-rodent efforts, the success of which also depends on the public¡¦s active participation,¡¨ the spokesman said.
¡@¡@¡§We should cover and store food properly to eliminate rodents¡¦ food sources, keep the environment clean, and remove and block potential harbourages and runways for rodents.¡¨
¡@¡@¡§We should also put refuse in dustbins with covers, regularly inspect concealed places like false ceilings, air ducts and wire ducts, seal the holes and crevices in the ceilings, walls and floors, and clear refuse and disused articles at home and communal area of buildings.¡¨
¡@¡@For more information on rodent control measures and RIR, please visit FEHD¡¦s website at: www.fehd.gov.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:15
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