Replies to LegCo questions

LCQ9: Anti-rodent measures

Following is a question by the Hon Mrs Sophie Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Health, Welfare and Food, Dr York Chow, in the Legislative Council today (February 23):


Question :


Recently, several members of the public have told me that large rodents had been spotted on the busy streets and near the sewers in Central. However, the rodent infestation rates had decreased gradually from 16 per cent in 2000 to 4.3 per cent between January and June in 2004, while the numbers of captured and poisoned rodents had decreased gradually from 57, 639 in 2000 to 40, 342 in 2003. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:


(a) whether it has assessed if the above statistics accurately reveal the real situation and severity of rodent infestation in the territory; if the assessment result is in the affirmative, of the relevant figures by districts; if the result is in the negative; of the mitigation measures;


(b) whether it has evaluated the economic losses caused by rodent infestation every year;


(c) how it decides the scope of anti-rodent works, including whether it has regularly assessed the number of rodents in the territory and the anticipated number of rodents bred; and whether it has made reference to the anti-rodent measures taken in other places; if it has not, of the reasons for that; and


(d) how it evaluates the effectiveness of anti-rodent works, as well as the evaluation results, and whether it will step up anti-rodent efforts?


Reply :


Madam President,


(a) Based on the percentage of bait consumed by rodents, the rodent infestation rate is a scientific and objective approach to determine the degree of rodent infestation in the area of interest. It helps to identify rodent infestation black spots for swift action to be taken against proliferation of the rodent population. The rodent infestation rate of the territory has decreased gradually from 16 per cent in 2000 to 4.1 per cent in 2004, indicating that the overall rodent infestation has improved. However, it should be noted that the rodent infestation rate varies in different locations. For example, the infestation rate in Queens Road Central in Central and Western was 8.3 per cent in 2004, while that in Hollywood Road and the Third Street of the same District was only 0.9 per cent and 1.7 per cent respectively. After obtaining the respective information, we have already stepped up anti-rodent efforts in those areas with higher rodent infestation rates.


(b) The anti-rodent efforts of Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) mainly focus on minimising the impact of rodent infestation on public health and the citizens, and prevention and control of rodent borne diseases. We have not evaluated the economic losses caused by rodent infestation.


(c) It is not a common practice to assess the number of rodents in a territory as the assessment is likely to be inaccurate and does not provide a reliable indicator to the potential rodent impact on public health. In line with accepted international practice, we make reference to the rodent infestation rate which measures the percentage of bait consumed by rodents to prevent and control rodent infestation. Many studies reveal that rodents are highly prolific animals, hence it is of prime importance that rodent infestation be expeditiously contained. FEHD makes reference to the surveillance and control measures as advised by the World Health Organisation and adopted by other countries to control the rodent problem.


(d) To assess and monitor the rodent infestation in Hong Kong, FEHD takes reference from the rodent infestation rate, as well as the number of rodents being captured or poisoned, the number of rodent infestation complaints received and the inspection results by the pest control staff. Taking into account all relevant information and after assessing the overall situation, FEHD will enhance the disinfestations efforts in areas where rodent problems are more serious, such as certain places in Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok.



Ends/Wednesday, February 23, 2005

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