RATIONALE

Rodents have been a known public health threat for centuries and are emblematic of poverty, underde­velopment, and epidemics.

It has been estimated that 400 million human cases of rodent related zoonoses occur every year. 

Injuries and degraded living conditions that affect well-being and quality of life can also be added to the public health impact toll. 

Food safety and nutrition are impacted by rodent contamination of food and crop losses. These threats affect millions of people, some already undernourished, worldwide.

The challenge of rodent control and reducing the impact of rodent proliferations is at the crossroads of several key disciplines (infectious disease, rodent ecology, nutrition, social sciences, emergency response, One Health) and sectors (academia, local government, community organizations, and International Health Regulations).