By Sean Zucker –
Rats have almost become as synonymous with New York City as pizza, bagels or unmitigated aggression. But, of course, New Yorkers will willingly boast of their savory delicacies before acknowledging their vermin problem. Ultimately, the issue is one of an eternal conflict between species fought over who owns residency on the island.
Unfortunately, the fight has become more than just a battle over real estate. It is increasingly a fight for human health. While these nasty creatures—rats—scatter across streets and sneak into homes citywide, they’re spreading disease in some unfortunate ways.
The NYC Department of Health recently issued a health advisory warning of an alarming rise in leptospirosis cases, a serious disease often caused by exposure to rat urine. Written by Celia Quinn, the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Disease Control at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the advisory paints a graphic picture of how this disease lingers and spreads.
“Infected animals excrete the bacteria in their urine and bacteria can persist in warm, moist environments for weeks. Transmission occurs through direct contact with infectious urine or urine-contaminated water, soil, or food, entering the body through open wounds or mucous membranes,” Quinn wrote.
New York City only saw an average of three Leptospirosis cases per year between 2001 and 2020. That number jumped to 15 cases every year between 2021 and 2023. This year reported infections may be rising even faster as six were discovered by April. Most people who contracted leptospirosis had a history of residential or occupational exposure to rat urine like handling trash bags or bins containing food waste and person-to-person transmission is rare.
Still, the issue has developed to the point that New York City Mayor Eric Adams even held an address underscoring the city’s concerns. “We realize that not only are rodents unsightly and can traumatize your day but there are real health-related crises that are attached,” he announced. “They are attached to the issue of rats. It’s a real problem.”
The reason why Mayor Adams and The NYC Department of Health are raising such an alarm is clear, leptospirosis can be a catastrophic disease. Per the CDC, around one million cases are reported worldwide each year, with roughly 60,000 of those leading to deaths. When left untreated, the disease can also lead to kidney failure, inflammation of the membrane around the brain or spinal cord, respiratory issues and liver damage.
The incubation period is usually between five and 14 days but can be as fast as two days or as long as one month. The NYC Department of Health warns that during this time, some infected people may have no symptoms while others may only have mild ones. These symptoms include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, red eyes or yellow skin and eyes. Making matters worse, dogs and other animals can also contract the disease.
There are undoubtedly lots of unreported cases and the problem isn’t limited to New York City. It can and will surface wherever rats thrive.
Those with symptoms are advised to seek treatment as soon as possible.
So far, Mayor Adams’ primary solution to the problem appears to involve residents reducing street trash and getting plastic bags full of garbage off of sidewalks. “People need to connect the dots. Plastic bags mean rodents. Get the plastic bags off our streets, you will have a major dent in the rat mitigation problem,” he added.
Until then, however, rats may continue to take the piss out of the health of New Yorkers—and others.
