Effectiveness of the Rodent Control Project Management in Keelung Port, 2017–2023

DOI: 10.6524/EB.202508_41(15).0001

Wen-Hua Chen^1*, Wen-Ting Lin¹, Li-Ju Chen¹, Pei-Chun Chuang¹, Chia-Ying Chung², Der-Chin Hou2, Shih-Hao Liu¹

2025 Vol.41 NO.15

Correspondence Author： Wen-Hua Chen^1*

Abstract：

        Rodents are important vectors of infectious diseases and can be transported across countries by transportation such as ships, making rodent surveillance and control a priority for international port hygiene. Keelung Port is an important international port and the largest cruise port in Taiwan. A rodent vector epidemiologic survey conducted in Keelung Port from 2004 to 2013 showed a hantavirus positivity rate as high as 29.0%, the highest in Taiwan.
        Since 2014, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (TCDC) has made the surveillance of rodent hantavirus serum antibodies a routine operation in international ports, and the project management mechanism was added to intensify prevention and control efforts in 2017. During 2017–2023, the rodent hantavirus positivity rate remained at about 20% in Keelung Port, and project management was initiated 13 times because of the capture of hantavirus-positive rodents.
        During this period, Keelung Port authority set up the "Keelung Port Environmental Cleaning and Rodent Control Plan" and enhanced control measures. In 2023, TCDC's surveillance results showed that the number of rodents trapped decreased significantly, indicating that the plan had been effective in reducing the exposure risk of workers in the port. This also proved that port maintenance and vector control measures cannot be accomplished by the port or health authority alone. All members in the port have a responsibility in rodent control.