A popular Spanish city for Irish tourists is struggling with the surge of rats causing havoc as the Spanish Health Ministry pointed to what’s causing the increase in rodent sightings. Known for its hot temperatures, good vibes and beautiful scenery, the city of Malaga sees thousands of Irish tourists escaping from Ireland to it every year. However, recent weeks have seen rats becoming an issue in Churriana, Haza de Cuevas (Carranque), and Parque de Huelin, two of Malaga’s most popular places for Irish holidaymakers to stay.
The rats are said to be making appearances in local play areas, leading parents to express their fears over their children’s safety . Speaking on behalf of the concerned parents, Maria del Carmen Aguilar told SUR: ‘We are afraid because the rats run between our feet, as happened last week to one of the children (in the Parque de Huelin).’ With mercury levels hitting the high 40s, it’s believed by weather experts that the increase in rat sightings could be linked to the summer’s sizzling temperatures .
Despite warm weather normally being welcomed by all, Hector Tejero from the Spanish Health Ministry recently explained the dangers high temperatures can cause to the public. ‘The heat is killing 3,000 people a year and it’s going to get worse. But while exposure to extreme heat is going to rise, we can also step up our adaptation to it.
‘Although it’s hotter in Spain than it was 20 years ago, fewer people are dying because homes are better adapted, because we have air conditioning, and because people are getting into a culture of dealing with the heat,’ he said. Meanwhile,Malaga city councillor Penelope Gomez revealed at a council meeting that the environment department’s budget for rodent control is to rise from €142,000 to €400,000. According to local residents’ representative Francisco Giron, from Haza de Cuevas, there is another threat to the public in the form of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus.
Linked to seven fatalities in Andalusia, the West Nile virus is linked to mosquito bites that can cause fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash..
