Rats around containers, alarm raised about the risk of infectious diseases in Pristina

Large rats are seen around garbage containers in the capital. The lack of deratization, according to environmentalists, increases the risk of disease spread and makes institutional intervention necessary. The Municipality of Pristina has reopened a new tender for deratization, after the first procedure was canceled.

Egzona Mema

Neighborhoods in the capital continue to face garbage and even rats around them. Environmentalist Besnik Shabiu says the situation is worrying, as diseases can spread through them.

"The risk to citizens from these rodents is related to the possibility of transmitting diseases, whether through urine, feces, saliva or various parasites. In other cases, they can also contaminate water and food, as well as damage infrastructure, such as in the case of damage to electrical cables, etc.," said Shabiu. 

He has raised the need for pest control.

"One of the most common species in such areas is the sewer rat. Due to these concerns, maintaining cleanliness, repairing damage to the sewer system, and professional deratization are mandatory."

The Municipality of Pristina opened the tender for the deratization of the sewage network, garages, basements and public spaces on July 24, but the procedure was later canceled. On July 31, the Municipality reopened the tender with an estimated value of 180 thousand euros. The deadline for submitting bids is August 24.
The Municipality did not provide information regarding deratization and the current situation with rodents.

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The opposition in Pristina said they would raise the issue in the Municipal Assembly. 

"We will definitely raise it as an issue, because it is also very necessary to clean up where there is garbage, because rats are also coming out in those areas, which poses a health risk to residents, especially students now that the school year is starting in September," said Besart Krasniqi, a Vetëvendosje assemblyman. KOHA had reported on the presence of rats in containers in June of this year. They have been seen in many neighborhoods near overflowing containers.