A rat emerged from storage and ran through a convenience store in Guangzhou, causing customer alarm. A passerby outside kicked and killed the rodent on the street.

Social Context

Urban rodent control falls under the 2021 National Pest Control Standards, requiring commercial premises to maintain certified pest management contracts. However, enforcement is complaint-driven and under-resourced—particularly in older neighborhoods where aging infrastructure enables rodent ingress.

Safety Tip

Report rodent sightings directly to municipal health departments via the 12320 hotline; avoid physical confrontation as rats may carry leptospirosis or hantavirus.