The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) announced today (August 1) that it has completed the Rodent Activity Survey (RAS) for the first half of 2024, and the overall Rodent Absence Rate (RAR) was 95.1 per cent. The RAR of individual districts can be viewed on the FEHD website (www.fehd.gov.hk/english/pestcontrol/rat_free_percentage.html).

“This marks the first time that the department adopted thermal imaging cameras with artificial intelligence technology to replace completely the conventional census baiting method for surveillance of rodent activities in all districts. Compared to the previous survey method, the new technology offers higher sensitivity and precision, broader coverage, and lower susceptibility to environmental factors. The department will keep enhancing the RAS to better reflect the overall situation of rodent infestation,” a spokesman said.

The spokesman pointed out that the useful information and data on rodent infestation provided by the RAS enable the department to effectively allocate resources. The RAR of a district only reflects the overall rodent infestation situation in the district and there may be a variance among individual survey locations. The FEHD will implement targeted rodent prevention and control measures according to the survey results at individual locations and take follow-up actions including collaborations with other departments, relevant shop operators and residents for joint actions in effective rodent prevention and control.