Cockroaches Photo: Screenshot from CCTV news report

Xiamen Customs in East China's Fujian Province intercepted over 20,000 cockroaches on an incoming vessel during a health quarantine inspection on Monday. With temperatures rising, mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests have been increasing in numbers, with some even attempting to "smuggle in groups."

According to China's state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), customs officers discovered a large number of cockroaches stacked in various areas of the ship, including the deck, cabin, restaurant, and food storage rooms. 

The officers immediately sealed off the vessel, issued the "Inspection and Quarantine Treatment Notice" to the ship owner, and instructed them to carry out pest control measures. They also supervised the sanitation process. Over 20,000 dead cockroaches were found on the ship.

According to Xiamen Customs officials, cockroaches can carry harmful bacteria such as dysentery bacilli, Salmonella typhi, cholera vibrios, and tuberculosis bacilli on their bodies, making them important vectors for many infectious diseases. 

Due to their strong adaptability and reproductive capacity, cockroaches can easily cross borders through transportation vehicles, containers and goods. It is essential for transportation managers, port operators, and related personnel to strengthen daily prevention and control measures against cockroaches and other disease vectors to reduce the risk of invasive species and disease transmission, safeguarding the biological security of the country.

The vessel has since passed the sanitation inspection and departed after unloading cargo.

Global Times