Sarajevo is facing a health crisis due to an alarming rise in rat-borne diseases, with a dozen cases of leptospirosis reported in just one 24-hour period. The city’s rodent population has surged, with residents posting photos of rats swimming in the Miljacka river and overflowing rubbish containers.
The local authorities have declared an epidemic, allowing for emergency measures to be imposed, including a city-wide clean-up. Extra municipal workers are being deployed to disinfect public areas, and additional rubbish collections are being arranged. Schools have been directed to clean their playgrounds, mow grass areas, and check for rats.
Sarajevo Canton Health Minister Enis Hasanovic attributed the crisis to a failure by local authorities to fulfill essential municipal hygiene requirements, describing it as “not a health crisis, but a communal crisis.” Sebija Izetbegović, a former director of the Sarajevo’s University Clinical Centre, warned that the health situation could deteriorate further, citing the presence of “well-fed rats” and the potential for hantavirus.
The current outbreak has highlighted the need for effective pest control measures in Sarajevo. Officials blame a botched tender process for extermination and sanitation work, which has allowed the city to become overrun with rats and stray dogs. While none of the reported cases of leptospirosis have been serious, left untreated, the disease can be deadly, with a mortality rate of over 50% for people suffering from severe bleeding of the lungs.
The city’s authorities are working to contain the outbreak, but residents are concerned about the ongoing risk of rat-borne diseases. As one resident noted, the situation is a result of poor public services and a lack of effective waste management. The authorities’ response to the crisis will be crucial in preventing further outbreaks and restoring public health in Sarajevo.
