The overall rodent infestation rate for 2021 was 3.1%, lower than the 3.6% recorded in 2020, indicating that rodent infestation in public areas was not extensive, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today.

A total of 67,182 dead rodents and live rodents were collected and caught by the FEHD last year, higher than the 60,860 in 2020.

During the same period, around 46,000 fixed penalty notices were issued, while over 4,000 prosecutions were initiated against irregularities such as poor environmental hygiene conditions, food preparation and scullery at rear lanes, and improper storage of articles and illegal dumping of refuse.

Enhanced anti-rodent operations in target areas have been piloted in Sham Shui Po, Wan Chai and Yuen Long.

For markets under its purview, apart from running deep cleaning and intensive anti-rodent operations, the FEHD stepped up inspections and enforcement action. In addition, it has been collaborating with the Electrical & Mechanical Services Department to prepare for the launch of a pilot scheme at Yeung Uk Road Market in Tsuen Wan to deploy wireless motion sensors, rodent traps, bait boxes, etc through the application of Internet of Things solutions, with a view to enhancing the monitoring of rodent prevention and control work.

As regards the handling of meat or poultry delivered to licensed premises of fresh provision shops, the FEHD will progressively include a new licensing condition starting from this month. The condition requires that the meat or poultry be delivered directly into the premises.

For the convenience of residents nearby, the FEHD has been providing temporary large covered rubbish bins in the evening at some 80 locations in public areas near private properties without refuse collection facilities.

Additionally, the Home Affairs Department provided one-off cleaning services to the common parts of about 1,600 “three-nil” buildings for over 4,300 times. Meanwhile, district offices stepped up street cleaning and pest control services at public places in their vicinity.

For public housing estates, the Working Group on Rodent Prevention & Control in Public Rental Housing Estates under the Housing Authority held three meetings last year. Apart from implementing more intensive rodent control measures at 80 targeted housing estates, the Housing Department, with the FEHD and district stakeholders, also carried out about 130 joint clean-up operations.

The FEHD will strengthen its anti-rodent work and will follow up proactively on rodent prevention and control, publicity and public education, and enforcement actions, it added.