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RODENT CONTROL
The attempts to combat the menace of rats and mice continue to keep
a rodent operator fully occupied as well as causing the public health
inspectors a great deal of work. The damage to property caused by rats
is well known and for this reason the public co-operates well on the
whole in this work. The role of the rat as a vector of disease is sometimes
forgotten.
The Black Death of the Middle Ages and the Plague of the 17th Century
were carried by rats. The diseases were transmitted from rats to man
by infected fleas. The flea feeds on the blood of an infected rat and
when it dies it seeks another host. Fortunately these diseases are unknown
in this country today but rats are still guilty of carrying leptospirosis,
food poisoning and rat bite fever. The latter is rare in this country but
leptospirosis may occur among sewer workers. It is caused by an
organism excreted by the rats in their urine or faeces. A fuller note on
this subject was included in my annual report for 1955 under the
heading "Weil's Disease" a case of which occurred in Hornsey during
that year.
Again it can be reported that no major infestations of rats came to
the knowledge of the Department during the year. All complaints
received were promptly investigated and the following is a summary of
the work done:—
Properties inspected as a result of notification 362
Other properties investigated 162
Properties found to be infested:—
Rats (a) Major infestations —
(b) Minor infestations 242
Mice (a) Major infestations 2
(b) Minor infestations 75
Infested properties treated by Rodent Operator 210
Treatments 217
Written notices served 3
20