It is once again “The Year of the Rat” in Sarajevo, according to social media posts by residents of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s capital city. The posts show an abundance of rodents swimming in the Miljacka river, which flows through the center of the city. The city has also seen overflowing rubbish containers, dead animals in public areas including children’s playgrounds, and complaints that the authorities have failed to provide basic hygiene services.
This has created a perfect environment for rats to thrive, while the situation is not as pleasant for humans. Health experts have blamed a lack of control of Sarajevo’s rodent population for an alarming rise in rat-borne diseases. In one 24-hour period this week, the country’s largest hospital reported a dozen cases of leptospirosis, a disease spread by rats through contaminated water or soil. Symptoms can range from headaches and muscle pain to bleeding in the lungs, and can cause jaundice and kidney failure.
The authorities in Sarajevo have declared an epidemic and implemented emergency measures including a clean-up of public areas and additional rubbish collections. Schools have been directed to clean their playgrounds and check their basements for rats. This is a stark contrast to the previous two years when there were no pest control measures in place, due to a botched tender process for extermination and sanitation work.
The former director of the Sarajevo University Clinical Centre, now a member of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, believes the health situation could deteriorate further, and that well-fed rats could also transmit hantavirus. However, none of the cases reported in the current epidemic have been serious.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgvk58enxpo
