Rodents as a public health problem: an experience in a control program

Abstract

With population growth and development of cities, there were several public health problems over the years. The lack of sanitation, poor in solid waste disposal and inadequate drainage of rainwater have created ideal conditions for binding of commensal rodents to humans, causing a synanthropic process, and result in harm to the health and economic population. The objective of this study was to identify the urban areas of greatest infestation by rodents, the species most affected and its aftermath, making it necessary to implement a program to control rodents capable of consistent results, minimizing the risk of disease to human health . To initiate the implementation of control was prioritized neighborhood located the banks of the Rio Grande do Norte, with low-income population in an area not cleaned up. At the site were carried iscagens, reiscagens and environmental analysis. The results showed that the rodent infestation is high in the region, with 95% of households positive. Among the homes infested rodent species per household were observed, and in 83% of cases met or gabirus rats (Rattus norvegicus), 65% of mice (Mus musculus) and 63% were black rat or roof (Rattus rattus). The environmental analysis showed that 66% of homes were in potential area of risk and that after the program, the infestation index decreased from 95% to 17%, which shows that the action was carried out efficiently, producing satisfactory results and positive public health.