World · Europe · 4 hrs ago
Seven-month-old bitten repeatedly by rat in his bed in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron
A rat repeatedly bit a seven-month-old boy in his bed in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, on France’s Atlantic coast.
The baby was taken for emergency care at Rochefort hospital and had about ten wounds on his hands and behind one ear.
He was given antibiotics and antiseptic treatment for seven days, with his parents watching for signs of infection or other problems.
The rat was caught in a trap later that day, and doctors did not expect the child to have lasting physical effects.
His mother, Sarah Zimmer, says rodents are multiplying near the family’s home and points to an abandoned neighbouring house as a possible source.
The family says the housing area is in poor condition and had pest control carried out, but says treatment would take three weeks to take effect.
The mayor says he will examine the sanitation concerns, while the family remains on alert at home.
A seven-month-old boy was repeatedly bitten by a rat in his bed in Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron on Sunday morning.
The child, named Côme, suffered about ten wounds to his hands and behind his ear and was treated at Rochefort hospital.
The rat, reported to be more than 30 centimetres long, was caught in a trap later that day.
His mother, Sarah Zimmer, says the family is frightened and has raised concerns about rodents and poor conditions in their housing area.
Mayor Christophe Sueur said he was taking the sanitation issue seriously and had not yet received a response from the Regional Health Agency.
- Who
- Côme, a seven-month-old boy, was bitten. His mother is Sarah Zimmer.
- What
- A rat entered his bedroom and bit him repeatedly while he was in his bed.
- When
- Sunday morning; the article does not state the calendar date of the incident.
- Where
- Rue du Gaillard, Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron, Charente-Maritime, France.
- Why
- Not stated. His mother says increased rodent activity may be linked to a nearby abandoned house.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A rat entered Côme’s bedroom and repeatedly bit him while he was in his bed.
The rat was caught in a trap.
The family had pest control carried out at their home.
- Child
- Côme, seven months old
- Location
- Rue du Gaillard, Saint-Pierre-d’Oléron
- Injuries
- About 10 wounds to his hands and behind his ear
- Rat
- More than 30 centimetres long
- Treatment
- Seven days of antibiotic and antiseptic treatment
3 sources
What people are saying
At a few minutes’ difference, if his neck had been hit, he would no longer be with us.
Côme was in his bed, the safest place in the world.
When I go to bed, I touch under his sleeping bag to see if he is breathing; we are terrified.
I have not had a response from the Regional Health Agency at this time.