Hong Kong FEHD's "Operation Thunderbolt" targets rodent blackspots: 1,373 sites inspected

HONG KONG, Nov 12 — Hong Kong's Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) said today that, following its earlier "Operation Skynet" stepping up inspections and enforcement at food premises, public markets and shopping malls, it further launched "Operation Thunderbolt" on November 4, proactively targeting locations with more serious rodent infestation and higher risks. The operation traces rodent nests along their activity paths and has so far inspected 1,373 locations across the territory.

1,373 sites inspected, 103 live rodents captured

The FEHD said the inspections covered 1,373 locations, including 1,171 venues managed by other government departments such as parks and recreational facilities. During the operation, 199 rat holes and rodent harbourage places were identified, 103 live rodents were captured and 51 dead rodents were collected, while rodent poisoning and filling of rat holes were completed at 92 locations. First-phase focus areas include parks, recreational facilities, green belts, slopes, the rear lanes of restaurants and areas around refuse collection points, with overnight roving teams stepping up trapping during peak rodent activity hours.

More than 50 rodents caught on first night at Kwun Tong industrial building

The department is also following up on private premises with severe infestations. At an industrial building and related premises on Shing Yip Street in Kwun Tong, 15 Notices of Elimination of Vermin were issued earlier, but follow-up inspections found the infestation persisted. Overnight teams were deployed and captured more than 50 rodents on the first night, identifying multiple harbourage places; targeted operations are ongoing. The FEHD said it will consider prosecuting the persons in charge under the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) and recovering the costs of the vermin elimination work.

(Source: Hong Kong Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.)