Tag Archives: leptospirosis

Disease Carrying Pests, Pest Control, Rats, Rodent Control

What You Need to Know About Rat-Carried Leptospirosis

Rats and New York City - Unfortunately They Just Go Together
Rats are Known Carriers of Diseases. Leptospirosis is the Latest and is Particularly Severe.

Most people know that rats carry diseases. This fact alone makes them one of the most dangerous of pests. One disease, which is known as Leptospirosis, can lead to severe health problems if it is contracted and treatment isn’t administered right away. This is just one reason why it’s important to secure NYC rodent control as soon as possible if you have a rat problem.

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a rat-carried disease that can easily be spread to humans. It can cause many symptoms, including:

  • Redness of the eyes
  • Stomach pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • High fever
  • Chills
  • Headache

As you can see, it might be easy to mistake Leptospirosis for something else, such as a mild virus, or even the flu. Some people don’t even have symptoms at all. It can take between two days and four weeks to develop symptoms after exposure.

If Leptospirosis is left untreated, it can progress even further into problems like kidney failure, liver failure or meningitis. Recovery with treatment can take as long as three weeks, or even longer in some cases. Without treatment, it can take months.

Help From NYC Rodent Control

Ignoring a rat problem can be dangerous, and it can easily lead to disease. Here at Stern Environmental, your NYC rodent control specialists are standing by to provide you with the help you need to rid your property of rats. Contact us for help!

Animal Control, Disease Carrying Pests, Rats, Rodent Control

NYC to Crack Down on Rodents to Prevent Dangerous Spread of Diseases

Rats are Spreading Dangerous Diseases
Rats are Spreading Dangerous Diseases

NYC rodent control can be a disgusting job, but sometimes it can be downright dangerous. A rare disease has taken its toll on NYC, killing one, and severely sickening 2 others. Disseminated by the city’s ever-burgeoning rat population, the NYC Health Department has been spurred into action.

The Area of Highest Risk
A cluster of the rare bacterial infection, leptospirosis, has been identified within a one-block radius of the Concourse area of the Bronx. The building in question is owned by the 5th worst landlord in the city, Ved Parkash, also known for 5 other buildings with violations. It is the first such cluster ever identified in the city.

A Dirty Job
A team was dispatched, that quickly identified obvious garbage management and rodent infestation issues on-site. Working through the day, they inspected apartments, disposed of improperly handled garbage, set traps, and plugged holes in walls and pipes.

Thwarting the Spread
Leptospirosis is commonly spread via contact with infected rat urine – rarely from person to person. City Health Commissioner Mary Bassett stressed it’s a very rare infection, noting 26 cases in the city since 2006.

What NYC rodent control procedures should you follow to ensure safety? Avoid contact with affected areas. Clean them with a 10% bleach solution, protecting your hands, feet, and eyes with safety gear. Wash your hands after any contact, and contact your local Stern pest control expert for fast rat eradication.