BOSTON – In April, Tufts University released a study stating that rats in Boston are spreading leptospirosis, a potentially deadly disease typically associated with tropical climates. The six year long study found that most rats that live in the city carry the bacteria and different neighborhoods carry different strains that can move between colonies. Scientists warn that leptospirosis can infect humans and animals, causing symptoms that range from mild, flu-like illness and in rare cases, more serious complications such as multiple organ failure and death.

Following the one-year anniversary of the release of the Boston Rodent Action Plan (BRAP) in June, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn maintains the plan continues to fall short as it disregarded the recommendation of both he and the study’s author, renowned rodent urbanologist Dr. Bobby Corrigan – that the city looks to formally create a dedicated position and point of contact solely focused on this issue, or “rat czar”, like New York City previously implemented. Moreover, after talking with residents and businesses across the city for years, Councilor Flynn continues to take issue with the analysis of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) – that our current pest control crisis does not pose a high public health threat to the residents of Boston and their families.

Councilor Flynn has long advocated for the city to focus on the growing problem of pest control and rodent mitigation issues, which were exacerbated during the pandemic – when restaurants closed and rats began showing up in more residential areas searching for another food source. Flynn has called for annual hearings on pest control going back to the start of the pandemic in 2020. In May of 2023, he subsequently met with New York City’s Director of Rodent Mitigation, or “Rat Czar”, Kathleen Corradi, to discuss both the logistics of working with a number of different city departments to tackle this quality of life issue, as well as specific strategies to deal with the growing rodent population in municipalities across the country.

In fact, after calling for a hearing on the creation of an Office of Pest Control in January of 2023, Councilor Flynn introduced an ordinance at the Boston City Council in January of 2024 and held a hearing to formally establish one in the City of Boston. He also met with relevant city departments and Dr. Corrigan to discuss their work in formulating this report and offered recommendations. With these new findings and reports of increased rodent activity in neighborhoods across the city, it is critical that Boston revisits designating a city official, or “rat czar”, solely focused on this public health and quality of life issue.

“This new Tufts University report showing that rats in our city carry leptospirosis reinforces the urgent need for the City of Boston to make pest control a top priority. I continue to advocate, as was recommended by Dr. Corrigan, that we finally dedicate a point person solely focused on addressing our pest control crisis. Moreover, although the Boston Public Health Commission previously indicated that rats do not currently pose a high public health threat to the residents of Boston – I adamantly disagree,” said Councilor Flynn. “When I hear about a rat in a child’s crib, or rats carrying diseases like leptospirosis, it’s evident that this is a public health emergency. We should not be downplaying the impacts that this significant quality of life issue is having on neighbors across Boston. Public awareness campaigns and language access in every neighborhood is critical to ensure all of our residents are invested in making sure their trash is disposed of properly.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or [email protected].