4,400 Rats Killed In Lagos Against Lassa Fever Out Break.

De-rating is now the talk of the day in Lagos now as the environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Lagos State Chapter, on Monday killed no fewer than 4,400 rats at six major markets in the state under its de-rat market programme.
 Its president, Mr Samuel Akingbehin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that his association carried out the exercise at Onigongbo, Oshodi , Oke-Odo,Ikotun Idanwo, Ojuwoye and Mile 12 Markets.

He also stated their next plan to face other markets.

“We also decided to put the exercise in the evening due to the nocturnal nature of rodents and our members had recorded successes in the markets visited till date. It took us about three hours to cover the Oshodi market when our members went there for the exercise.”
“Today, Monday, we will be visiting Suru-Alaba Market in Orile-Ifelodun LCDA by 5p.m. with about 400 EHOs to de-rat it. “We are still calling on all other executive secretaries of the local government areas to assist us toward the elimination of rodents in our markets and our environments,” he said.

Nice idea, but the heavy numbers of dead rat will constitute environmental pollution if not well checked during rotting stage. Why not introduce a predator-prey relationship to curb the bread of these rats?