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The City of San Fernando is a community of about 25,000 people and is completely surrounded by the City of Los Angeles. Fernando is thoroughly integrated into the life of Los Angeles. It is a thriving urban area that has attracted people from different walks of life.
As is the case with any urban center, there exist instances in which different biohazards arise in the city. This includes biohazards in the form of rat droppings that can be found in businesses, particularly restaurants, in San Fernando.
The Trio of San Fernando Restaurants Shuttered Because of Rat Droppings
Three San Fernando area restaurants, as well as one convenience store, were closed by the Los Angeles County Public Health Department because of rat droppings and cockroaches. These establishments were shuttered immediately and cannot reopen until the Public Health Department confirms that the issues with rat droppings and other violations are resolved.
Although public venues like restaurants and stores garner attention when they are closed because of rat droppings, these types of establishments are not the only locations at which the danger of rat infestation is an issue. The reality is that some private residences throughout San Fernando, and the Valley, have issues regarding rodents and rat droppings.
The Health Dangers Associated With Rat Droppings
Rat droppings can carry an array of different, serious, and even fatal diseases. The most common of these diseases that impact people in San Fernando include:
- Hantavirus: Hantavirus is potentially fatal. If rat droppings are merely swept up, dust from rat droppings becomes airborne and can be inhaled. Once inhaled, the potential for infection by hantavirus exists.
- Salmonellosis: Food poisoning can occur via this virus.
- Rat Bite Fever: This is also a potentially fatal disease. It is spread by rodent bites and well as by food contaminated by rat droppings.
The world-renowned Mayo Clinic explains what happens if the hantavirus is inhaled when not using proper procedures and personal protective gear for rat droppings cleanup. Once inhaled, the virus enters the lungs. At that juncture, the virus then invades the capillaries at the lungs. When this invasion occurs, the capillaries begin to leak. The lungs then begin to fill with blood. As the lungs fill with blood, the situation triggers what is known as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This is a very serious and potentially fatal condition.
If you think you may have been exposed to the hantavirus, or any other disease that can be spread by rat or mouse droppings, you should contact your primary physician at once. If you do not have a primary physician, you can schedule an appointment with the San Fernando Health Center, a public health facility operated by Los Angeles County Health Services. You can schedule an appointment by calling (818) 627-4777.
San Fernando Health Department
1212 Pico Street
San Fernando, CA 91340
(818) 627-4777
www.dhs.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dhs/sanfernando/
Rat Droppings and Biohazard Cleanup
Due to the dangers presented by rat droppings, comprehensive biohazard cleanup is required to eliminate the hazards presented by this type of waste. Biohazard cleanup necessitates the use of different products and chemicals that are not readily available to the general public. In addition, the rat droppings cleanup process requires the use of appropriate personal protective equipment. Moreover, individuals involved in this type of biohazard remediation process must have experience in this type of rat droppings cleanup.
The Case of the Brown Residence in San Fernando
The Browns are typically overscheduled Los Angeles area family. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have three school-age children, and both parents work full time.
One fall, rats made their way into the family garage, which was connected to their home. In time, the number of rats living in the garage increased. Rat droppings began to appear in open spaces in the garage. The Browns noted the droppings and made mental notes to address the problem, occasionally sweeping up the rat droppings in the interim.
After a couple of weeks, the Browns did a bit of online research about rat droppings and rodent infestation. It was at this juncture that they realized that occasionally sweeping up rat droppings had been precisely the wrong thing to do. In addition, they learned that the entire family likely had been bringing rat droppings dust into the residence on the bottom of their shoes.
The Browns immediately made an appointment for the entire family to see their primary physician. Fortunately, after undergoing testing, all members of the Brown family were found to be free of any disease caused by viruses that can be found in rat droppings.
They also reached out to a biohazard cleanup service to ensure that the rat droppings were properly eradicated at their residence. They were able to obtain immediate, effective professional assistance in addressing the rat droppings present at their home.
Photo Courtesy of Tambako The Jaguar.
