By: Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: The Ipoh City Council (MBI) is actively working to eradicate rat infestation in the public markets under its administration.
To realize this noble effort, the Mayor of Ipoh, Dato’ Rumaizi Baharin@Md Daud, has launched the Rat Control Campaign at the main entrance of UTC Perak today.
“The rat control campaign began on June 6, 2023, and will continue until August 31, 2023, in line with the target of making Ipoh the Cleanest City in 2023.
“The implementation of the Rat Monitoring and Control Action Plan (PTPKT 2.0) by the local authority was carried out in 2022 under Circular KSU. KPKT. No. 5/2017, which outlines rat control guidelines.
“The Vector Control Unit of the Environmental Health Department of MBI has selected the Ipoh Central Market, Pasir Pinji Market, and Pasir Puteh Market to conduct this campaign in stages and subsequently expand it to all markets and food courts owned by MBI,” he said after the campaign launch.
According to him, the implementation of the Rat Control Campaign in MBI’s Public Markets aims to prevent the transmission of rat-borne diseases such as Leptospirosis, Plague, Typhus, worm infections, as well as various types of viruses and bacteria.
“We also aim to reduce the problem of a rat infestation in MBI’s areas, including public markets and food courts, in addition to conducting studies on rat infestation indexes, environmental risk assessments of rat infestations, and KAP studies (Knowledge, Attitude & Practice).
“The main cause of rat infestation problems is the disposal of fish, vegetable, and fruit waste, burrows in the market building surroundings, unclean polystyrene/styrofoam containers or cardboard boxes, and improper storage.
“Traders in the public markets must cooperate in terms of waste disposal by using plastic bags and tying them securely before throwing them into covered trash bins,” he emphasized.
Furthermore, traders should install the provided rat traps and continuously maintain the cleanliness of their stall environment.
As of May 2023, the Vector Control Unit has installed a total of 747 traps and captured and disposed of 117 rats around MBI-owned buildings, including public markets and food courts.
During the campaign period in Ipoh Central Market from June 6, 2023, to June 21, 2023, a total of 360 traps were installed, successfully capturing 91 rats.
