New York City health officials have warned of an increase in bacterial infections spread through rat urine after a record 24 cases were reported in 2023.
The New York City Department of Health says only six cases of leptospirosis have been reported in the city so far this year, but that number is on the rise.
The New York cases are primarily related to exposure to material contaminated with Norway rat urine.
The disease can cause fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, conjunctival congestion, jaundice and rash, said Celia Quinn, deputy director of the Agency for Disease Control, on April 12. issued a memo warning. .
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A mouse crosses a subway platform in Times Square. New York City health officials have warned of an increase in bacterial diseases spread by rat urine. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Without treatment, kidney failure, meningitis, liver damage and breathing difficulties can occur, she said.
“Infection occurs through direct contact with infectious urine or water, soil, or food contaminated with urine and enters the body through wounds or mucous membranes,” the memo said.
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.
Officials say human-to-human transmission is rare.
Quinn said leptospirosis can die within minutes in dry heat or freezing cold.
“The cold winters in New York City probably limit the extent to which leptospirosis can survive in the environment,” she says. “However, the excessive rain and unseasonably warm temperatures associated with climate change may help leptospirosis persist in temperate regions like New York City.”
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Rats swarm garbage bags near trash cans in New York. (AP)
More than half of the 24 cases reported last year were reported between June and October, a period of warm, humid weather with excessive rain and “unseasonably” warm days. It was time.
The number of cases caused alarm, as from 2001 to 2020, only three cases were reported per year. From 2021 to 2023, there were 15 cases of leptospirosis reported in the city.
According to exterminators, there are about 3 million rats in New York City.
In December, Mayor Eric Adams said the rat infestation was part of the reason so many New Yorkers left the city.
“Some people with children and families want somewhere for their kids to play outside, lots of green space, and animals to see. You won’t see anything other than rats in New York.” Adams said: I asked about population data that is rapidly decreasing.
A rat forages on a subway platform in Herald Square in New York City on September 3, 2017. (Gary Hershawn/Getty Images)
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“So it’s a combination of things,” he added. “By the way, we’re getting rid of that rat.”
