Arabic version: تم إغلاق كلية موروا الزراعية بسبب انتشار طُعم الفئران السام

The Western Australian College of Agriculture in Morawa has been closed after toxic mouse bait was spread on its grounds. According to ABC News, students were sent home following the incident, which occurred on May 20. The timeline for the school’s reopening remains uncertain as a thorough clean-up is scheduled for next week.

The closure comes in response to a severe mouse plague affecting Morawa, located 370 kilometers north of Perth. The plague has led to an influx of rodents invading homes, businesses, and agricultural areas. Farmers in the region have been using agricultural-grade mouse baits containing zinc phosphide, a highly toxic substance that is not approved for use in residential or enclosed areas.

The school’s principal informed parents that a product known as Mouse Off, which is a commercial form of zinc phosphide, was used on the school site. The Department of Health has stated that the risk to students and staff is currently low, but the school is taking precautions by initiating a deep clean of all affected areas to ensure safety.

Parents of boarding students have been advised to collect their children, or alternative arrangements will be made for them to stay at another residential college. The agricultural college serves approximately 50 students in years 10, 11, and 12 and features a working farm where students gain practical farming experience.

In light of the situation, officials from the WA Department of Health visited Morawa after local leaders expressed concerns about potential health risks from the high number of dead and dying rodents. The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has indicated that exposure to zinc phosphide can be harmful, and they have recently approved an emergency permit for double-strength mouse baits, which are now being distributed to farmers in the area.