Residents of some eastern Jeddah districts say that have noticed a considerable increase in the number of rats scurrying around Jeddah's streets since the recent floods and now fear that these creatures are carrying infectious diseases. However, the city's mayoralty has assured people that there is no need to worry. Some residents said they think the number of rats is increasing because of the many holes in the streets and inside their houses. They now fear being infected by diseases carried by these animals. They said that available poisons have had no effect on them, adding that public workers only spray outdoor holes. Several residents said they have filed requests to some municipalities to solve the problem of the dirty streets and other filthy public places which they said have contributed to the spread of the rats. Family Medicine consultant at the National Guard's Western Sector's Health Affairs Department, Dr. Muhammad Ali Al-Kabsh, warned about the spread of these rodents. “They carry germs and viruses and transmit them to human beings in several ways through the respiratory and digestive systems.” The most well-known diseases that rats carry are typhoid fever, cholera, tuberculosis and dysentery, he said. “The plague is also transmitted through the fleas living on their skin. When cats or dogs eat infected mice and roam around, they spread the disease.” Spokesman for Jeddah's Mayor's office Muhammad Al-Ghamdi said the mayoralty is carrying out anti-rodent work all around the city especially at the Corniche. He said only five percent of the traps set out have captured these rodents. “The percentage is not worrying. The traps used are modern,” the spokesman said. He added that the number of rodents has declined in many areas of the city.
