Sarajevo is once again facing an infestation of rats, with an alarming number of rodents spotted swimming in the Miljacka River, which runs through the city. Local residents have shared numerous social media posts showing the rats, along with photos of overflowing rubbish bins and illegal dumping. Complaints about dead animals being left in public areas, including children’s playgrounds, have also surfaced, highlighting poor public services in the Bosnian capital.
The situation has created a perfect breeding ground for rats. However, the growing rodent population is raising serious concerns for human health. Health experts blame the lack of effective control measures for an increase in rat-borne diseases.
This week, the country’s largest hospital reported a dozen new cases of leptospirosis in just 24 hours. The bacterial infection, commonly known as rat fever, has been spreading across the city, with earlier cases reported this month. The disease is transmitted to humans through water or soil contaminated by rodent urine or faeces, with symptoms ranging from headaches and muscle pain to more severe complications like jaundice and kidney failure.
In response, local authorities in Sarajevo have declared an epidemic, allowing them to impose emergency measures. Additional municipal workers have been deployed to disinfect public spaces and clear up the growing piles of rubbish. Schools have been instructed to clean playgrounds, mow grassy areas, and check basements for rats.
This new, proactive approach contrasts sharply with the previous two years, during which Sarajevo had no pest control measures at all. Officials blame a failed tender process for extermination and sanitation work, which allowed the rodent and stray dog populations to thrive.
Enis Hasanovic, Sarajevo Canton’s Health Minister, described the situation as a “communal crisis,” blaming local authorities for failing to meet basic hygiene standards. Sebija Izetbegović, former director of Sarajevo’s University Clinical Centre, warned that the health situation could worsen. As a member of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly, she noted that the large number of well-fed rats could lead to the spread of other diseases, such as hantavirus.
For now, Sarajevo has been lucky. Leptospirosis, if left untreated, can be deadly, with a mortality rate exceeding 50% for severe cases involving lung hemorrhaging. However, none of the current cases have been severe.
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