The citywide rodent infestation rate for the first half of the year was 6%, exceeding the 4.8% figure for all of last year, the Food & Environmental Hygiene Department says.

The rate for all districts was between 2.1% to 10%, except Tsuen Wan with 10.9%.

The figures for the remaining districts are: Eastern (2.1%), Tuen Mun (2.7%), Kwai Tsing (3.4%), Yuen Long (3.5%), Southern (3.6%), Kowloon City (3.8%), North (4%), Sham Shui Po (4%), Kwun Tong (4.4%), Central-Western (6%), Wong Tai Sin (7.4%), Yau Tsim (8.1%), Sha Tin (8.4%), Sai Kung (8.6%), Mong Kok (8.8%), Islands (9.3%), Tai Po (9.3%), and Wan Chai (9.7%).

The higher figures recorded in some districts were mainly attributable to unsatisfactory hygiene conditions in rear lanes, including accumulation of unused articles and food remnants.

From January to August the department trapped and eliminated 20,000 rats and filled 5,650 rat holes. About 7,000 warnings were issued on the rodent situation.