Dealing with some nasty pests is all part of living in the big city.
Of course, some city dwellers are forced to deal with more pests than others, and it often comes down to basic cleanliness.
But now New Yorkers are facing a new dangerous threat from this nasty pest spreading infections to humans.
The Big Apple seeing more rat-related illnesses
Multiple cases of human leptospirosis have recently been reported by the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
The infection is associated with exposure to rat urine.
According to the shocking report, there were 24 reported cases of the disease in New York City in 2023, higher than in any other year in which records were kept.
Even more concerning, there have already been six cases of the same disease reported in the first quarter of 2024 alone.
Health officials said, “For comparison, the average number of locally acquired cases from 2021 to 2023 was 15 per year, and 3 cases per year during 2001 to 2020. This year, 6 cases have been reported as of April 10, 2024.”
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also pointed out that of the 98 cases reported from 2001 to 2023, the median case age was 50 years and 94% of the cases were male.
The cases were reported most often “from the Bronx (37), followed by Brooklyn (19), Manhattan (28), Queens (10), and Staten Island (4).”
Leptospirosis presents a wide range of symptoms, including renal and hepatic failure and even dangerous pulmonary issues in severe cases.
Other symptoms can include headaches, chills, fever, vomiting, muscle aches, diarrhea, cough, jaundice, rash, and conjunctival suffusion, according to the Department of Health and Hygiene.
The incubation period for leptospirosis is between 5 and 14 days, but it can last between 2 to 30 days.
If left untreated, the rat-borne disease can cause kidney failure, liver damage, meningitis, and respiratory distress.
Six deaths were caused by leptospirosis from 2001 to 2023 in New York City, according to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
While dangerous, the bacteria are fragile and can die within minutes in dry heat or freezing temperatures, and health officials said, “The cold winters of NYC likely limit the extent to which leptospirosis can survive in the environment.”
“However, excessive rain and unseasonably warm temperatures, factors associated with climate change, may support the persistence of leptospirosis in more temperate areas like NYC,” the department added.
Rat urine exposure is more common than you think in NYC
In a press release, local health officials said it’s not uncommon for people in New York to be exposed to leptospirosis.
Officials said, “In NYC, locally acquired cases typically have a history of a residential or occupational exposure to rat urine or environments (including soil and water) and materials contaminated with rat urine (e.g., handling trash bags or bins containing food waste).”
Half of the NYC cases were reported in June and October of 2023, when the weather was warmer and wetter due to excessive rain.
All cases of leptospirosis are supposed to be reported to the NYC Health Department within 24 hours.
But there is no way to know for sure how many cases go unreported.
Residents of the Big Apple can find more information about the bacteria on the New York City Health Department and CDC websites.
Political Animal News will keep you up-to-date on any new developments in this ongoing story.