ENG-1954 — Page 160

PUBLIC HEALTH AND URBAN SERVICES

find a suitable bait base mixture for use with warfarin (an anti-coagulant rodenticide) against domestic rodent pests, but it is not yet possible to assess the results of these researches. Inquiries from members of the public about centipedes have given rise to an investigation of these pests; information is being collected about the various species, their occurrence, habits and the toxicity of the venom of the larger species.

Transfer of Veterinary Staff. Before October, 1954, the prevention and control of animal diseases in the Colony was the responsibility of the Urban Council under the Public Health (Animal and Birds) Ordinance, Cap. 139, whereas responsibility for the health and improvement of livestock in the New Territories lay with the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. In order to place the responsibility both for animal husbandry and the prevention and control of animal diseases in the Colony under the one authority, the veterinary staff of the Urban Services Department was transferred to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry with effect from the 1st October.

Foot and Mouth Disease. Foot and mouth disease transmitted from China, was identified for the first time amongst indigenous cattle in the rural areas. It affected cattle, buffaloes and pigs throughout the New Territories, but because of its mild clinical form and owing to the inherent resistance of native animals, it was little more than a nuisance to farmers and there were few deaths. First discovered in July, the disease appeared to have died out by the end of the year. Precautionary inoculation with Type 'A' vaccine was carried out on all exotic dairy stock as soon as it became

121