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- 1Volunteer 'Rat Rangers' Lead Evening Alley Walks in Washington, DC●🐀 NEW: In Washington, DC, volunteer "Rat Rangers" lead evening walks through alleys to teach residents that # sanitation
A volunteer group called the Rat Rangers is leading evening walks through Washington, DC alleys to teach residents that better sanitation is the key to rodent control. The group formed after a 2024 study found rodenticides in local wildlife. About two dozen neighbors join each walk to learn about rat biology and the harm poison causes to the ecosystem.
- 2Climate change warned to raise deadly rodent-borne disease risks●Warning climate change could increase risks from deadly rodent-borne diseases
Health and climate experts are warning that a warming planet could increase the risks from deadly rodent-borne diseases. As temperatures and rainfall patterns shift, rodent populations and habitats may expand, raising the chances of diseases such as hantavirus or leptospirosis spreading to more people. Reports are urging better surveillance and preparedness as climate conditions grow more favorable to outbreaks.