Surge in Rats Raises Concerns in Kuwait

Two experts in Kuwait have alerted authorities and the public about the alarming spread of rats, causing severe worries over disease transmission, particularly challenging to diagnose in public healthcare facilities. The complaints about rising numbers of rats across diverse regions have triggered demands for a speed-up resolution to address residents' concerns and ensure public safety.

Expert Warnings and Disease Risks

Dr. Qais Majeed, a Biology Professor and Head of the Science Department at the College of Basic Education, emphasized the potential health hazards posed by the spread of rat population. Highlighting the critical danger of rats inhabiting food storage areas, he highlighted the risk of disease transmission from their solid and liquid wastes to human-consumed food items.

Health Implications

Dr. Majeed further explained that apart from endangering human health, rats harbor worms that adversely affect livestock, including poultry and cattle. He underscored the ecological imbalance caused by the surge in rat numbers, adversely impacting other species such as insects and reptiles, vital components of the rodents' diet.

Calls for Action

Expressing frustration at the lack of an effective response, Dr. Majeed shared personal experiences of attempting to alert authorities about the issue, resulting only in the deployment of traps. He emphasized the urgency for prompt action to tackle the persistent spreading of rat, mentioning daily captures of rats in his own residence and the pressing need for a more robust intervention.

Additional Expert Insights

Raising concerns, Dr. Sabah Al-Terkait, a Professor at the College of Health Sciences stressed the difficulty in diagnosing serious bacterial diseases, like Weil's disease, often transmitted by rats, especially challenging for medical staff in public clinics.

Recommendations and Citizen Responsibility

Dr. Al-Terkait urged citizens to vigilantly monitor residences, especially areas storing food while advocating for the strategic placement of traps and regular disposal of waste. Highlighting the breeding grounds for rats in waste, construction sites, and densely populated regions, the necessity of proactive measures was underscored to ease the infestation's impact.