Glasgow Rat Infestation: Increased Sightings 'Worrying' as Cases Rise to Over 10,000

A rat infestation has been reported in the city of Glasgow in Scotland, United Kingdom, where increased sightings have become "worrying" as cases last year have risen to over 10,000, according to the city's labor group.

The concerned individuals of the growing rodent infestation have reportedly sent a letter to local health authorities, requesting a call for action into the ongoing incident.

The Glasgow rat reports suggest an increasing trend of rat sightings compared to previous years. Amid the threat, the risk of rat-borne diseases was also a concern among the advocates. In particular, the heightened activity and mere presence of rats could contaminate food and even affect humans and their pets.

Aside from Scotland's capital, some other U.K. cities, including London are also suffering with the same dilemma, based on reports. In the past, health authorities have warned that rats can carry pathogens like bacteria to infect not only humans but also other animals. Diseases targeting open wounds such as leptospirosis is a common infections.

Glasgow Rat Infestation

Based on research, the Glasgow rat reports found the number of rats and mice has increased in Glasgow in 2022, with 10,323 compared to 7,894 in 2021, as cited by Glasgow Live, which reported that the city's Labor group consider the incident as "very worrying."

The Glasgow news outlet said that Glasgow Labor sent the letter to the director of public health at the National Health Service (NHS) in Greater Glasgow, urging the authorities to bring the urgent matter to the Glasgow City Council.

In early 2020, a similar scenario was reported when Glasgow residents and unions urged the Glasgow City Council to act when it comes to collecting garbage bins. A total of 20,423 bin collections were missed from April to December 2019, leading to rats plaguing the streets, STV News reported.

Rat Infestation Health Risks

Fluids from rats such as their saliva and urine contain harmful or deadly pathogenic bacteria that can be transferred either directly or indirectly.

According to the country's Health and Safety Executive, the Weil's disease, a form of leptospirosis, is acquired from an infected rat's urine, explaining the bacteria goes inside the body through cuts and scratches or the mouth's lining.

Dubbed "man's worst friend," rats have been considered a scourge to humans. The rodents were responsible for the spread of the plague bacillus that caused the Black Death in Europe and other regions of the world several centuries ago, resulting in millions of deaths during the Middle Ages, according to a research article published in the National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine.

While sanitary measures have improved in modern times, experts still recommend avoiding leftover food and garbage as these attract not only rats but also other pests such as cockroaches, mosquitoes, and even microogranisms.