The black rat ( Rattus rattus ) is an animal that transmits serious diseases, such as leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease or bubonic plague and, for a few months, although it is not considered a pest, it is expanding more and more by Spanish territory. If the situation is not controlled, it could represent a real public health problem.
This announcement was exposed by members of the National Association of Environmental Health Companies (Anecpla), during a conference on the 'Black rat: reemerging species', held at the headquarters of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE).
Their number has increased considerably in recent years, especially in large cities such as Madrid or Valladolid. Only in Madrid, with just a dozen outbreaks detected and controlled in 2019, its radius of action has been extended to add, to date, 35 black rat outbreaks.
To stop the spread of rats, citizens and tourists have been urged not to feed stray cats or pigeons and to avoid leaving garbage on public roads. "The remains of food that remain on the street will attract black rat specimens, promoting their expansion and reproduction", clarifies Jorge Galván, general director of Anecpla.
According to the IUCN, this rodent is one of the 100 most harmful invasive alien species on the planet . Adult specimens weigh between 150 and 250 grams, measure between 16 and 22 centimeters plus the tail, which reaches between 17 and 24 centimeters. And their fur is rather grayish.
