A new study finds that rat infestation in many of the world’s cities appears to be soaring, especially in Washington.
Since the start of his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump appealed to millions of voters by vowing to conduct the “largest deportation in American history,” and implement other immigration changes and restrictions.Read full article: Texans split on immigration amid Trump’s policy push, survey reveals
Only three cities saw significant decreasing trends — New Orleans, Louisville and Tokyo — with the home of Mardi Gras showing the biggest drop in rat reporting. Experts said the Louisiana city can teach others how to combat the rat problem. Researchers pointed to two other big statistical links — that fit with known biological issues — behind more rat reports: the increase in urbanization and more densely populated cities.
“When rodent populations are high, people get sick, motor vehicles become disabled, mental health declines, fires are started and foods fouled,” said Houston rat expert Michael Parsons, who wasn't part of the study. People are rightly bothered by rats because of “an innate fear caused by an organism that can make us sick.”
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