Surveillance of Rodent Population at Kaohsiung International Port, Taiwan, 2009–2012

DOI: 10.6525/TEB.20161018.32(20).001

Pei-Lan Hu, Huichen Lin, Yu-Fang Chou^＊, Chiou-Yueh You, Ammon Chang

2016 Vol.32 NO.20

Correspondence Author： Yu-Fang Chou^＊

Abstract：

During 2009–2012, 744 rodents have been captured at Kaohsiung International Port. Of the 744, 542 (72.9%) were the species of Rattus norvegicus. The most ectoparasites from murine-like animals were Xenopsylla cheopis (n = 412, 75.46%). Among rodents, the seropositive rate was 12.5% for hantavirus and 22.9% for endemic typhus fever. Consumption of rodents poison bait was highest during June–September. The number of rodents captured from Kaohsiung International Port varied by month, with the highest in December and lowest in June. Given the sustained seropositivity of hantavirus and endemic typhus fever in the rodent population, the authorities at International Ports should enhance environmental health in port areas and decrease density of rodent population to reduce the occurrence of human infections.