As if 2020 wasn’t strange enough, the United States faces another challenge as the CDC issues warnings about aggressive cannibal rats. In a report by The Independent, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention lately issued a warning to the public. This is in regards to the current status of rats all over the country. The CDC observed that rats are behaving differently as their food sources have decreased due to the lock-down.
The CDC then detailed that these rodents have turned to cannibalism and infanticide. Another problem is that the rats are becoming aggressive. Rats in areas such as restaurants and other commercial establishments are in danger of this infestation.
The CDC stated, “Community-wide closures have led to a decrease in food available to rodents, especially in dense commercial areas. Some jurisdictions have reported an increase in rodent activity as rodents search for new sources of food.” Some of the rats have turned into cannibals and began eating each other in our of apparent desperation.
As the amount of rats with aggression levels up, there might be an increased amount of service calls for companies who provide rodent or pest control.
The Daily Mail reports suggests that restaurant owners and homeowners check their properties and seal any holes that might be an entry point for the four legged-hunger fiends. Since these cannibal rats have become aggressive, it is only a matter of time before they attack houses to sneak inside and eat trash or whatever scraps they can find.
The advisory states that people “Follow established guidelines when cleaning up after rodent infestations to prevent exposure to rodent-borne diseases.” The advisory continues, “Fleas are common on rodents. In areas of heavy rodent infestations, workers should consider using a repellent registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.”
Cities such as New Orleans, Baltimore, and Washington DC are taking steps to decrease rat populations as the animals take over the streets to hunt for food. Some videos of rodents eating on streets have become viral. It is advised to take preventative measures on this current problem as rats bring a multitude of diseases. These animals can carry up to thirty-five diseases. The list includes Hantavirus, a group of viruses that can cause organ failure and is fatal. Leptospirosis, Tularemia, and Salmonella are also commonly carried by these animals.
Some might say life was easier when our most famous rodent was the Pizza Rat.