A war veteran living in an Australian hospital's nursing home is "in a distressed state" after his ears were gnawed by hungry mice, says Queensland Health. The elderly man was found covered in blood and had injuries from severe mouse bites.
"He was so stressed that doctors put him on morphine to calm him down.
He nearly died on Saturday night. He was being eaten alive," said Ray Hopper, the local member of parliament.
According to the veteran's daughter, the elderly man attempted to brush the mice away from his face and ears, but they continued to bite anyway.
The Darling Downs, Queensland, hospital has engaged extra staff to deal with the mouse problem and is setting traps. However, the government's Environmental agency has not yet approved the use of poison to kill the remaining mice infesting the nursing home. Meanwhile, officials are considering evacuating the nursing home if pest control measures fail to eliminate the infestation.
Related: Disability Activists Demand, "Stop Paying Nursing Homes for Injuring Patients."
