Plague Fears as Hurricane Sandy Flushes Out Hungry Rats
Plague Fears as Hurricane Sandy Flushes Out Hungry Rats
New York City could be set for another flood — this time, of rats.
In the wake of superstorm Sandy, thousands of rats are expected to be forced from their underground lairs and onto the Big Apple’s streets.
The storm surge has caused severe flooding to subways and road tunnels, where the rodents are known to live and breed, driving them to the surface in search of food and new homes.
Rick Ostfeld, from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in New York, told the Huffington Post that the rodents could infest Manhattan’s streets and spread disease.
“Rats are incredibly good swimmers. And they can climb,” he said.
“One of things we know can exacerbate disease is massive dispersal.