Airport rat stink caused earlier illnesses

ORLANDO, Fla., March 21 (UPI) -- A letter written by a customs official at Florida's Orlando International Airport disclosed details of an instance of rat stench-related illnesses at the hub.

Eduardo Oliveros, the chief U.S. Customs and Border Protection official at the airport, wrote a letter March 12 detailing a March 8 incident involving inspectors and passengers who were sickened by the smell, the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday. Odors from dead rats caused a security checkpoint to close after passengers and workers fell ill.

"This issue has been prevalent for years and has gotten worse over the past few months," Oliveros wrote. "This is unacceptable, unsanitary and our officers should not have to work under these conditions. In addition, the traveling public that we both service at Orlando should not be subjected to these conditions either."

Airport spokeswoman Carolyn Fennell said the checkpoint, which was closed for cleaning after another incident of illnesses resulting from dead vermin odors, reopened Friday after inspections of the area and air-quality tests.

"The building has been totally cleaned and inspected," Fennell said. "Every effort has been made to clear the air in that area of the building."