Topic: Rodents

Researchers at Virginia Tech are warning of the "pandemic potential" of Hantavirus, a respiratory disease spread through rodent droppings. While the virus has a high mortality rate for those who develop severe symptoms, the "fear-mongering" nature of the report is criticized. The study links the spread of the virus to warmer winters and climate trends that increase rodent populations.

The "Tip of the Day" suggests using birth control products like Evolve or ContraPest for humane rodent management instead of traditional poisons that can harm predators like hawks. The show concludes with the "In the Morning" sign-off from Adam Curry in Fredericksburg, Texas, and John C. Dvorak in Silicon Valley, followed by a musical montage regarding the decline in donations.

The FDA discovered over 1,000 rodents, bird droppings, and dead animals inside a Family Dollar distribution facility in West Memphis, Arkansas. A voluntary recall was issued for food, pet supplies, and medical devices sold in six southern states during January and February 2022.

The Chief Health Officer of New South Wales has instructed Sydney residents not to engage in conversation with neighbors, even while masked, to prevent COVID-19 spread. Simultaneously, the city is facing a massive rat population explosion because construction has ceased and human activity is minimal. Pest control services are reportedly working seven days a week to manage the rodent surge.

A report in the Journal of Environmental Law suggests that the European Union may require cats to be tethered outdoors to protect biodiversity. This leads to a discussion on the historical role of cats in controlling rodent populations, specifically during the Black Death. One host shares an anecdote about a neighborhood mouse infestation that occurred after a local feral cat colony was removed.

A teenage girl in Bend, Oregon, contracted the bubonic plague, likely from a flea bite during a hunting trip. NBC News reports that while rare, there have been 16 cases in the US this year, primarily transmitted through rodents like rats and squirrels. The disease remains treatable with antibiotics if caught early, but it still poses a threat in certain wild areas.

A news segment warns of "mega rats" weighing up to six pounds appearing in New York City. This is followed by a letter from Professor John Calvin Jones, who supports the idea that anonymous voting in congressional committees could reduce corporate influence.