An Internal Revenue Service (IRS) office in Chamblee, Georgia, has been plagued by a severe rat infestation, prompting employees to sit on their desks for safety and leading one worker to resign. Sydney Monger, a former employee, told WSB-TV that she quit her job after enduring the intolerable conditions at the Chamblee Tucker Road facility, located in northeast Atlanta.
Graphic Evidence of Infestation
Monger shared photographs and videos with the station showing rats scurrying throughout the building. Some images depicted dead rodents, while others revealed droppings scattered across floors and desks. In an effort to avoid the vermin, several employees were seen perched on top of their workstations.
An IRS spokesperson acknowledged the problem to the Daily Mail, attributing it to the building's age and confirming that efforts are underway to resolve the issue. Photographs of the building's exterior show rat traps placed around the perimeter as part of the remediation attempts.
Rats Too Large for Traps
Despite the traps, Monger, who worked in the office for eight months, claimed the rats are too big to be caught. 'They're just out and terrorizing everybody, running over people's feet, falling out of ceilings,' she said. The situation escalated significantly after Memorial Day, when the rodents became more active. 'After Memorial Day they just came out the woodworks. They were just everywhere. It's hot, it stank, they're pooping everywhere. It's nasty,' Monger added.
Health Concerns Prompt Resignation
The final straw for Monger came when her colleagues began falling ill. 'I'm scared to bring something back to my kids, you know?' she said. 'I got babies, I can't be playing. There's already viruses out there.'
The IRS released a statement saying, 'Like any large building in an urban environment, it can face pest-related challenges. The IRS is working to investigate and remediate the situation.' The Daily Mail has also contacted the IRS press department for additional comment.
Health Risks from Rats
Rats pose significant health hazards, including the spread of diseases such as hantavirus, which recently led to three deaths on a cruise ship. According to the World Health Organization, 13 confirmed or probable hantavirus cases were linked to the ship, which departed Argentina in early April with over 100 passengers and 61 crew members. Rats can also transmit leptospirosis, a bacterial infection causing organ damage, and salmonellosis, a severe illness from contaminated food.
