[Kaohsiung News] With two confirmed cases of hantavirus syndrome reported in other counties and cities so far, Kaohsiung has strengthened cross-department prevention measures against the zoonotic disease. During a municipal administrative meeting, Mayor Chen Chi-mai instructed all relevant agencies to continue reinforcing inspections and reporting mechanisms in high-risk areas and to regularly review the effectiveness of prevention efforts. The Economic Development Bureau and Agriculture Bureau were directed to strengthen supervision over environmental cleaning and disinfection at markets and vendor areas, implement physical rodent control measures such as glue traps and rodent traps, and eliminate food waste residue. Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Bureau, Civil Affairs Bureau, and district offices were instructed to enhance drainage ditch cleaning and environmental sanitation efforts. Relevant departments also outlined key prevention measures, reminding residents to remain vigilant about possible rodent entry points in their surroundings and to properly store food scraps and animal feed. Through strengthened source management and environmental cleaning and disinfection, the city is working comprehensively to safeguard public health.
According to the Department of Health, the city government has launched a cross-department hantavirus prevention initiative to strengthen rodent control efforts. Special emphasis is being placed on high-risk locations such as traditional markets, night markets, commercial districts, vendor stalls, and restaurants through environmental cleanup, rodent extermination, and disinfection operations. Expanded public health education campaigns are also being carried out, including the distribution of disease prevention and cleaning supplies such as bleach, along with visits to medical institutions to strengthen reporting mechanisms.
The Economic Development Bureau noted that there are currently no confirmed hantavirus cases in Kaohsiung. Moving forward, the bureau will continue intensifying market inspections and implementing the three core prevention principles: “Do not feed rodents, do not attract rodents, and do not allow rodents to nest.” The bureau will also strengthen the removal of accumulated debris to prevent rodent habitation, require vendors to properly store fresh food products to deter rodents from seeking food, and coordinate with the Department of Health to increase disinfection frequency while providing glue traps and other physical rodent control tools.
The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that rodent control agents have been distributed to district offices, with more than 2,200 boxes distributed between November 2025 and May 2026. Residents in need may obtain supplies from their local district offices. Future prevention efforts will focus primarily on environmental cleaning and drainage ditch dredging, supplemented by chemical control measures to comprehensively reduce rodent activity areas.
The Agriculture Bureau noted that the city government has partnered with fruit and vegetable companies and farmers’ associations to strengthen environmental cleaning and disinfection operations at wholesale produce markets while improving waste removal efficiency. As of May 4, inspections had been conducted at six fruit and vegetable markets, three meat markets, and two poultry markets, with cleaning completed at 11 sites and disinfection carried out 11 times. The Civil Affairs Bureau added that it will continue working with district offices, borough chiefs, and community volunteers to improve sanitation at community problem spots, while strengthening inspections and environmental improvements in rodent-prone areas such as markets and night markets.
The Public Works Bureau stated that it has strengthened environmental management and public education efforts at construction sites, requiring the regular removal of food waste and garbage, implementation of site disinfection, and inspection mechanisms. Five construction sites have already been inspected, with no signs of rodent activity detected thus far. The bureau will continue cooperating with disease prevention teams in ongoing inspections.
Caption 1:
Mayor Chen Chi-mai instructed relevant agencies to strengthen environmental cleaning and disinfection at markets and vendor areas, while enhancing rodent control efforts in surrounding areas to safeguard public health through comprehensive source management and environmental sanitation.
Caption 2:
According to the Department of Health, the city government has launched a cross-department hantavirus prevention initiative to strengthen rodent control efforts, particularly in high-risk areas through environmental cleanup, extermination, and disinfection operations, alongside expanded public health education campaigns, distribution of cleaning supplies such as bleach, and visits to medical institutions to strengthen reporting mechanisms.