13th August 2020 – (Hong Kong) Kwun Tong District Councillor CHEUNG Pui-kong received a report today from an employee of Sau Mau Ping Market saying that before a meat stall owner in the market started work in the early morning, he used to spread the fresh pork on the ground. A video clip shared on social media shows more than 10 rodents were feasting on the fresh meat.
According to him, the situation has lasted for nearly a month and the employee was left with no choice and complained to the local district councillor.
Cheung pointed out that the problem of rodent infestation in Sau Mau Ping Market has always been serious. The market has recently been renovated in phases. He is worried that the neighbourhood would contract rat-related infectious diseases, such as plague or rat hepatitis E, after consuming the contaminated meat. He has lodged a complaint with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, requesting to step up rodent and cockroach control measures to ensure food safety in the district.
In recent months, the COVID-19 epidemic has become more severe in Hong Kong. Some commentators pointed out that if the plague broke out again, the consequences would be disastrous. They urged the government to act on the problem urgently.
After the video went viral, Link Reit which owns Sau Mau Ping market has ordered the stall owner to suspend business with immediate effect.