Residents of Building Where Tenant Infected with Rat-Borne Bacteria Blame City Officials for Failing to Act Sooner

A Bronx community is on edge after a rat-borne bacteria killed one neighbor and infected two others. NY1's Lori Chung filed the following report.

There was outrage at full tilt during a meeting Wednesday at 750 Grand Concourse, where a tenant fell sick from exposure to rat urine.

Residents blamed city officials for failing to act sooner.

"We have pictures in our apartment of rats. You all didn't come," said one resident.

"People are frustrated, feeling like you're constantly voicing your issues and no one listening," said another.

Tenants say they've been trying to get help with the rat problem in their building long before their neighbor and two other people in the area contracted leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can cause chills, muscle aches, abdominal pain, fever, rash, red eyes, headache and vomiting.

One of those cases proved fatal.

"I can't have my windows open in the summer because they're all in the windowsills," said resident Roberto Lebron, who showed us and Health Commissioner Mary Bassett the rat holes in his apartment.

"Our staff has been through the apartment, and we have people here so that anybody who is concerned and wants to have somebody inspect, we can make that arrangement," Bassett said.

Building owner Ved Parkash is on the public advocate's worst landlords list, with more than 80 violations here.

As city officials try to assure their help, longtime tenants say they'll believe it when it happens.

"I got to got to work and pay rent still while this is going on," said one resident.

"I always hear about rent reduction, going to court and strike and lawyers and nonprofits are here to help, and the city and nothing gets done," said another.

Mayor Bill de Blasio released a statement late Wednesday vowing to work with tenants and advocates on an administrative action to take over operations of the building.

In the meantime, health officials say the disease cannot be spread from person to person and that they don't expect to see any further cases. But they say they are monitoring the situation.