Pest Control Steering Committee mobilising the strengths of departments to launch the "Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action" (with photo)
******************************************************************************************
"Cross-sectoral Territory-wide Anti-rodent Action"
-------------------------------------------------------
In order to effectively deal with the rodent infestation problem, a cross-sectoral, inter-disciplinary, and public participation approach, as well as the joint efforts of all concerned departments, are required. In this regard, the Government will launch the Action on December 28, under which all sectors of the community will be encouraged to be active stakeholders, and all relevant departments will be mobilised to collaborate in anti-rodent work and to enhance public awareness on rodent control.
At today's meeting, the PCSC discussed the enhanced rodent prevention and control measures to be taken by each departments under the Action. The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department ("FEHD") will continue to tackle rodent infestation through surveillance, prevention and control, including continuous anti-rodent operations in rodent blackspots and premises under their management; wider application of new technologies and tools (such as T-shape rodent bait boxes); promotion of the issued rodent control guidelines, management rules and checklists to relevant departments and stakeholders through seminars and video clips; and exploring the formulation of an "Composite Rodent Infestation Index" in collaboration with a local university, etc.
Other relevant departments, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and Housing Department, etc., will also adopt various enhanced measures, including setting up an internal review team to monitor the rodent prevention work of the department, establishing a monitoring mechanism to evaluate the results and effectiveness of rodent control works; as well as designating an officer at senior level to co-ordinate the department’s anti-rodent work and maintain a high-level dialogue with FEHD. In addition, the concerned departments have also agreed to formulate and implement targeted rodent prevention and control strategies and measures for raising the effectiveness of their work with reference to the guidelines, management rules and checklists issued by FEHD.
Following the launch of the Action, the Environment and Ecology Bureau will set up a thematic homepage on December 29. Through on-going updates, the thematic homepage will assist the public in grasping updates about the Action, including the efforts made by relevant government departments and stakeholders in rodent control. It will also provide the public with useful information about rodent prevention and control.
Mosquito prevention and control
------------------------------------
Apart from discussing the Action, representatives of the FEHD had also reported at the meeting that the mosquito infestation in 2022 has remained under control. The overall trend of the Gravidtrap Index for Aedes albopictus so far this year is similar to that of last year; no local dengue fever cases were reported in Hong Kong during the same period. The representatives from FEHD reminded all departments to strengthen mosquito prevention and control measures at the venues under their purviews before the arrival of rainy season, including regular inspection of surrounding environments, prompt removal of the potential breeding places of mosquitoes, removal of stagnant water, applying larvicide at appropriate locations, and wider application of mosquito trapping devices and robotics foggers, etc.
The PCSC was chaired by the Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Miss Diane Wong. Representatives from three policy bureaux and 21 government departments and organisations attended today's meeting.
Ends/Friday, December 23, 2022
Issued at HKT 20:50
Issued at HKT 20:50
NNNN
Photo
