Page 83 of 485
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
In Hong Kong, the Hantaan Virus Infection is not a notifiable disease. The virus is an infectious agent which primarily affects rats. Humans acquire this infection by breathing in the dust of dried up excreta of rats. It is not transmissible from person to person. In the last five years, there have only been two confirmed clinical cases. The preventive measures for this infection are proper rodent control with good personal and environmental hygiene. In this connection, the Urban Services Department undertakes regular rodent control and disinfestation services throughout the year. Systematic inspections are carried out at blackspots such as refugee camps, waterfront godowns, refuse collection points, squatter areas as well as hawker and market sites. Block control measures will be carried out in those black spots where rodent infestation is found to be heavy. This Department will tighten up the control measures this summer by closely monitoring the inspection programmes. Messages on rodent prevention by keeping a clean environment and on personal hygiene are disseminated to the public through distribution of posters and leaflets. A year-end anti-rat campaign is also mounted annually to enhance the effectiveness of these public health appeals.
The second part of the question asks whether special measures would be adopted in cooperation with the Department of Health. The Urban Services Department works closely with the Pest Control Advisory Section of the Department of Health in setting rodent control strategies. The Pest Control Officers of the advisory unit consistently supply technical advice and modern technology in support of our rodent control work. Moreover, the Health Education Unit of the Department of Health, in consultation with the Department, plans to launch publicity programmes on environmental health and anti-rodents this summer. It is believed that these control and publicity measures will be effective in containing the rodent problem and keeping down the incidence of the Hantaan Virus Infection in Hong Kong.
MS. JENNIFER Chow Kit-bing (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, please allow me to ask one supplementary question. Does the Council have a record of all the 18 districts in Hong Kong where rodent infestation is particularly serious? Do we have any target areas on record so that we can focus on the problem more effectively?
Mr. Joseph Chan Yuek-sut (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, what I have just mentioned refers to general black spots. I don't have any information in hand concerning which of the 18 districts are particularly heavily infested. Perhaps I could let Ms. Chow have the information after the meeting.
Mr. Wu Chi-wai (in Cantonese):—I would like to ask a follow-up question. Sometimes USD staff make some suggestions to the Housing Department regarding how best to control the rodents. But very often the Housing Department does not take any follow-up action. What can we do in this regard?
Page 83 of 485