In a continuing effort to contain New York City’s rat problem, Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday announced the first National Urban Rat Summit.
The summit, to be held on September 18th and 19th, will bring together the best of the rodent industry from Boston, New Orleans and Seattle to help alleviate the Big Apple’s burgeoning rodent problem, Adams announced. Press machine release Wednesday.
The Democratic mayor said he “hates rats” and that “the best way to defeat your enemy is to know your enemy.”
“New Yorkers may not know me, but I hate rats, and I’m sure most of the city’s residents do too,” Adams said. “Rice sightings in our city’s rat-free areas are down nearly 14% year-over-year, and we’re making progress, but we’re not stopping there. The best way to defeat our enemy is to It’s about knowing your enemy. That’s why we’re holding this first summit. ”
New York City mayor blames rat infestation as part of the reason people are leaving the Big Apple
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he “hates rats.” (Getty Images)
Sue Donahue, commissioner of the New York City Parks and Recreation Department, said the city is “fully committed” to controlling and reducing rat infestations.
“New York City is committed to eliminating rats, and we thank Mayor Adams and Cornell University for leading this summit to promote best practices and enable cities across the country to collaborate on how to get rid of rats,” Donohue said.
A rat slithers across a subway platform in Times Square as New York City health officials warn of an increase in a bacterial disease spread by rat urine. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Kathleen Corradi, director of citywide rodent control, said New York City was “proud” to host the inaugural event.
New York City warns of record rise in disease caused by rat urine
“Despite being our closest urban areas, research on urban rats and their management is surprisingly limited,” Colladi said. “New York City is a pioneer in municipal rat management and continues to leverage science and data to advance citywide rat control efforts. We are proud to host the National Urban Mouse Summit as a committed step.”
Rats running through the High Line Park in New York City, September 22, 2018 (Gary Hirschhorn/Getty Images)
Adams spearheaded the Urban Rat Summit after his own battle with a rat infestation in the city.
Given the potential health threat posed by rats, the city is 13 months into its “war on rats to finally make progress and rid the city of these filthy rodents,” a city hall spokesman previously said.
“We hope to utilise these techniques without causing further suffering, but our priority remains the city’s residents, not the rats.”
PETA accuses New York mayor of ‘demonizing rats’
Last month, New York City health officials warned of a rise in the bacterial infection spread by rat urine after 24 cases were reported in 2023, the highest number in a single year.
Six cases of leptospirosis linked to rat urine have been reported in New York City, according to city health officials.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leptospirosis can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, difficulty breathing, and in extreme cases, death.
Mayor Eric Adams at New York City Hall on Tuesday, January 17, in Manhattan, New York City. (Barry Williams/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
According to the CDC, homeless people and people living in shelters and other facilities where large numbers of people live together in narrow hallways are at higher risk of contracting the disease, which has symptoms that can be mistaken for other illnesses.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to the memo, from 2001 to 2023, the Bronx had the highest number of cases at 37, while Manhattan had the highest number of cases at 28. Six deaths were reported during the same period.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Mayor Eric Adams’ office for comment.
