CDC Warns Residents, Establishments Of Rats Going Out In Search For Food

Stay-at-home orders and the wearing of face masks have, to some extent, prevented the spread of COVID-19 not only in the United States but around the world.

The same can be said when local and international governments and health experts issued a lockdown to further contain the virus. This caused the global economy to close and it was only recently that the U.S. have reopened their doors to the community.

With the two-month order already lifted, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a warning to the community that famished rats will slowly venture out of their homes as restaurants and other food services begin their operations.

As reported by the New York Daily News, these rodents have been starved due to the stay-at-home orders as they rely on scraps left by restaurants. At this point, these pests will resort to “unusual and aggressive” behavior as they scour for food.

“Jurisdictions have closed or limited service at restaurants and other commercial establishments to help limit the spread of COVID-19. Rodents rely on the food and waste generated by these establishments.

Community-wide closures have led to a decrease in food available to rodents, especially in dense commercial areas,” said the CDC in a statement.

Rats are also known to devour their kin in dire times and last month, they were seen engaging in “open warfare” and cannibalism as food sources became scarce. As a result, environmental health and rodent control programs have seen the rise of rodent activity as they continue to battle for their survival.

New Orleans is one such city that saw rats invade their streets amid the COVID-19 pandemic. CBS News shared a video where rodents venture freely in the famous French Quarter.

“I turn the corner, there's about 30 rats at the corner, feasting on something in the middle of the street,” New Orleans Insider Tours and AWE News Charles Marsala told the outlet.

To control the pests from potentially starting a new pandemic, the city's government started putting bait in the gutters as well as traps. Local pest control board head Claudia Regal on the other hand addressed the rats' deadly reputation to carry infection and diseases.

“There are pathogens in these rodents. Fortunately, we don't see many of the health outcomes. We don't have very many disease cases that are actually related to rodents. But the potential is there,” she said.

The CDC is advising residents and business owners to “eliminate conditions” that might attract rats. These include removing debris and heavy vegetation, tightly covering garbage bins and removing pet and bird food from their yards.