BIOR scientists invite public to submit rats for disease monitoring
Latvia's Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment (BIOR) is asking residents to hand over captured rodents for laboratory testing as part of an ongoing study tracking infectious diseases in wild rat and mouse populations. The monitoring effort has been running in Europe for years and in Latvia since last year.
European countries have carried out regular monitoring of rats and mice for several years, and Latvian scientists began a similar study last year. BIOR director Olga Valciņa shared details of the project during an appearance on Latvian Radio's programme "Zināmais nezināmajā".
Purpose of the study
The research aims to observe and track the spread of infectious diseases within Latvia's wild rodent population. Rodents, including rats and mice, can carry a range of pathogens, so ongoing monitoring helps scientists identify potential public health risks at an early stage.
Public participation
BIOR is inviting residents to take part directly by handing over captured rodents to the institute for laboratory examination. Involving the public in this way allows researchers to expand the number of samples collected and build a broader picture of the situation across different regions of Latvia, rather than relying solely on material gathered by scientists themselves.
