"Rick Ostfeld of the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Study in Millbrook, N.Y. told the Huffington Post:
"Rats are incredibly good swimmers. And they can climb." Ostfeld added: "Rats are highly social individuals and live in a fairly stable social structure. If this storm disturbs that, rats could start infesting areas they never did before."
The biggest problem here is that it could increase the risk of infectious disease. According to Huffington Post, urban rats carry several diseases including: leptospirosis, hantavirus, typhus, salmonella, and... the plague. These diseases are not only spread by bite, but are also in rat feces and urine."
Perfect Halloween story for NYC. Boo! - Wes
