FEHD to launch second round of anti-rodent operation in designated target areas next week
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     The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) will launch the second round of the anti-rodent operation in designated target areas in various districts on November 4 to sustain the effectiveness of rodent prevention and control work at the district level and raise public awareness of rodent prevention and control.
      
     An FEHD spokesman said, "In view of the fruitful results of the anti-rodent operations in designated target areas, the FEHD is continuing to conduct two rounds of special operations this year, with the first round being completed in June. The second round of the eight-week special operation will be conducted from November 4 to intensify the district rodent prevention and control work."
      
     Taking into account factors including rodent infestation rates, the number of rodent complaints received, views of the local community and the number of food premises and "three-nil" buildings, each District Environmental Hygiene Office of the FEHD will identify target areas in the district and continue to adopt multi-pronged strategies, including improving environmental hygiene and stepping up rodent disinfestation and enforcement actions for carrying out targeted rodent prevention and control work.
      
     "FEHD staff will enhance street cleansing services and cleansing of public markets and hawker bazaars in the target areas, including sweeping and cleansing of streets and rear lanes, clearing refuse and waste, emptying and cleansing of litter containers, and clearance of miscellaneous articles and waste in public markets and hawker bazaars, so as to keep the environment clean.
      
     "We will strengthen rodent prevention and control work at problematic spots such as rear lanes, refuse collection points, markets, hawker bazaars, cooked food markets and peripheral areas of construction sites by placing poisonous baits and traps, destroying rat holes and implementing rodent-proofing measures.
      
     "In addition, we will step up inspections of food premises and strengthen enforcement actions against food premises causing poor environmental hygiene conditions, scullery and food preparation at rear lanes, and improper handling and disposal of rubbish. We will also step up enforcement actions against illegal disposal of refuse and waste," the spokesman added.
      
     The FEHD will strengthen public education and publicity on rodent prevention and control. Apart from the broadcast of TV and radio Announcements in the Public Interest and display of posters on public transport, the FEHD will collaborate with District Councils and District Offices of the Home Affairs Department to organise anti-rodent promotional activities. The department will also arrange 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.
      
     The spokesman called on the community to continue their participation in the campaign and eliminate the three fundamental survival conditions of rodents in their daily life, 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, so as to work together to combat the rodent problem.

Ends/Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Issued at HKT 15:00

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