Phoenix VA says rat infestation at medical center could be over

PHOENIX — The Phoenix VA Health Care System said Friday rodent activity at its medical center appears to have slowed down in the last eight days, more than two weeks after rats were found.

A damaged ceiling tile on the first floor of the community living center at Seventh Street and Indian School Road on July 22 led to the discovery of rodent activity in other areas of the medical center, officials said.

All 25 CLC residents were relocated and elective surgeries were canceled as a result of the pests.

“As is common in this part of Arizona, we believe the rodents probably entered the building to escape the recent flooding caused by the monsoon season,” the Phoenix VA said in a statement.

While the inspection team’s initial focus was the first and second floor, they expanded their scope to search the 730,000-square-foot facility.

The team found more rodent activity in an office, a storage room near an operating room and in an unused part of the second floor of the main building.

Since being notified, the facility has worked to exterminate the pests, clean and sanitize areas with confirmed activity and educate staff on what to look for and how to report signs.

Pest control experts continue to make daily checks throughout the medical facility, while an engineering teams works internally and externally to close gaps or openings.

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