Keelung Distributes Limited Rat Bait, Offers Expert Home Visits After Hantavirus Case

(CNA, Keelung, May 20, by reporter Wang Chao-yu) Following a confirmed case of hantavirus in Keelung City, rat bait was distributed to district offices this morning for citizens to collect, with a limit of one pack per person. The Keelung City Government has also commissioned pest control experts to assist citizens with rodent extermination at their homes. Keelung Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang stated at a press conference that district offices received the rat bait this morning. Due to limited inventory, each person is restricted to one pack. The Environmental Protection Bureau has already made a large purchase of over 10,000 units of rat bait, which are expected to be delivered to district offices successively in late May and early June. Hsieh stated that starting today, village chiefs will submit unified applications to district offices, and pest control technicians will visit homes to assist citizens with extermination. As this is an emergency commission, initial capacity is limited, but it will be actively expanded. Additionally, starting this weekend, village and neighborhood chiefs will be invited to attend workshops where experts will give lectures and answer questions about disease prevention. Chen Po-ting, Director of the Keelung City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office, pointed out that professional assistance at home can help remind citizens of holes that need to be sealed. The contractors will also suggest locations for placing rat traps based on the site and conditions, after which residents can purchase and set up the traps. Chen noted that because setting out rat bait could lead to accidental ingestion by pets or children, citizens can pay an additional fee to set up safer bait stations. These stations prevent accidental ingestion while still being effective for extermination, with the hope that public-private cooperation can enhance citizens' knowledge of rodent prevention. Regarding hotspots for rats such as traditional markets and night markets, Hsieh said that if vendors continue to handle ingredients and food waste with old mindsets, no amount of rodent control will be effective. He has already instructed the Department of Economic Development to establish clear epidemic prevention regulations. If vendors still violate the rules after an advocacy period, the city government will take more decisive action. The Ren'ai District Office received 50 packs of rat bait this morning, each containing 10 pellets. Citizens can collect them from the Civil Affairs Division during office hours (8 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 5 PM). Each pack comes with a "Rodent Control Q&A." District Mayor Lee Tsung-chi advises citizens to place the bait in a container, leaving only an opening for rats to enter, to prevent accidental ingestion by children and pets. Yutian Village Chief Wang Pei-yu collected rat bait from the district office this morning. In an interview, Wang said that Yutian Village is located between the Aisi Road Night Market and Keelung Temple Mouth, making it a hotspot for rats. In addition to periodically clearing trash cans and cleaning drains, he will place bait inside the many natural holes around the temple area. He added that if the city could bring in experts to assist with extermination, it would further enhance environmental cleanliness. (Editor: Lee Heng-shan) 1150520