Keelung Port to Conduct First Large-Scale Disinfection on June 1 to Combat Hantavirus

Keelung, May 21 (CNA) — In response to the Hantavirus outbreak in Keelung City, the Keelung Port Branch Office stated today that it will expand comprehensive disinfection of the Keelung Port area. The first large-scale disinfection of public roads on the east and west banks and the entire wharf area is scheduled for June 1, with a total of three sessions planned. The Port Branch Office stated via a written message that the scope of the large-scale disinfection will be extended to roads surrounding the commercial port, including Donghai Street, Gangxi Street, Zhongshan 2nd Road, Zhongshan 3rd Road, Zhongshan 4th Road, and Guanghua Road. Inspections of damaged sections of the port's perimeter walls will also be intensified to prevent the movement of rats between the inside and outside of the port. Regarding rodent control measures in the port area, the Keelung Port Branch Office pointed out that it will implement daily environmental cleaning, garbage collection, regular disinfection, drain dredging, and weed trimming. Additionally, it will place bait at 12 hotspots weekly to strengthen rodent and flea control. Ten rats have been caught this year, and no reports have been received from the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicating that any rats in the port area tested positive for Hantavirus. Furthermore, the Port Branch Office stated that environmental management and on-site stevedoring units will jointly enhance daily and weekly environmental cleaning of the port area and inspect the use of rat guards on docked vessels. The monitoring center has been asked to use its CCTV system for inspections. If a vessel is found not using rat guards correctly, the shipping agent will be immediately notified to inform the vessel's crew to handle the matter properly. The Keelung Port Branch Office noted that in coordination with the Keelung City Government's launch of a major disease prevention campaign, in addition to disinfecting public roads, it will also conduct daily wipe-downs of all office premises. During cruise ship dockings, the overall disinfection of the east and west bank passenger centers will be intensified to more than three times, ensuring comprehensive implementation of epidemic prevention measures.