A Perth resident is urgently appealing to local authorities for a new home, fearing a persistent cockroach infestation in her current property could pose a severe risk to her young son’s health. The family’s ordeal comes after their toddler, Fergus, endured a critical five-week hospitalisation earlier this summer due to sepsis, a life-threatening condition.
Meaghan Wilson, 25, recounts the terrifying period when her son, then just 18 months old, became suddenly and profoundly ill in June. He was airlifted to Glasgow for specialist medical care, where doctors reportedly described his condition as one of the most severe they had encountered in a child across Scotland. Fergus battled sepsis, caused by a Strep A infection, a traumatic experience that left his parents, Meaghan and Connor O’Brien, maintaining a constant vigil by his bedside. The Alarming Link to Household Pests
Upon Fergus’s eventual return to their Stormont Street flat in Perth, the family hoped their period of acute anxiety was behind them. However, their relief was short-lived as the unwelcome presence of cockroaches, which had previously plagued their home, returned for a second time this year. This recurrence ignited a deep fear in Meaghan, who now suspects a chilling connection between the insect infestation and her son’s near-fatal illness.
Her suspicions gained weight after a conversation with a pest control expert. The professional, during a visit to their council-managed property, informed Meaghan that cockroaches are known carriers of various bacteria, including Streptococcus, the very pathogen responsible for Strep A infections. This revelation solidified Meaghan’s resolve: she is no longer willing to risk her son’s fragile health by remaining in an environment she believes could trigger another medical emergency. A Mother’s Refusal and Council’s Shifting Stance
Initially, Perth and Kinross Council suggested a repeat fumigation of the Stormont Street flat, expecting the family to continue residing there. But for Meaghan, this was an unacceptable proposition. Having witnessed Fergus’s intense struggle and the devastating impact of sepsis firsthand, she adamantly refused to gamble with his well-being again. She describes tirelessly disinfecting every surface in their home, the persistent smell of sanitiser a constant reminder of the unseen threat lurking within their living space.
The family’s pleas for rehousing had seemingly reached an impasse, with Meaghan being informed that her case was on hold due to a housing co-ordinator’s annual leave. However, a significant breakthrough occurred after external inquiries were made regarding their situation. Following this intervention, Perth and Kinross Council re-engaged with Meaghan and her family, subsequently offering them a permanent new home. Hope for a New Beginning, But Concerns Remain
While the offer of a new property brings immense relief, the family understands that it may take several weeks before they can move in. In the interim, Fergus’s medical consultants are closely monitoring his health, ensuring any signs of recurrence are promptly addressed. Meaghan expresses her profound gratitude that the council is now treating her concerns with the urgency and seriousness she believes they warranted from the outset, though she laments the protracted process that led to this resolution.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed their awareness of the issue and their active engagement with the tenants regarding both immediate and long-term accommodation solutions. They stated: “Our investigations suggest that the infestation has originated in another property in the block and we have appointed a specialist contractor who is currently at work to address the issue in the interests of all tenants on site.” This official statement underscores the complex nature of pest control in multi-dwelling units and the council’s efforts to mitigate the problem for all affected residents in the Perth city centre area.
Meaghan hopes her family’s challenging experience will highlight the critical need for prompt and decisive action in addressing public health concerns related to housing. She hopes that no other family in the Perth and Kinross community will have to endure a similar ordeal to secure a safe and healthy living environment.
Meaghan Wilson, 25, recounts the terrifying period when her son, then just 18 months old, became suddenly and profoundly ill in June. He was airlifted to Glasgow for specialist medical care, where doctors reportedly described his condition as one of the most severe they had encountered in a child across Scotland. Fergus battled sepsis, caused by a Strep A infection, a traumatic experience that left his parents, Meaghan and Connor O’Brien, maintaining a constant vigil by his bedside. The Alarming Link to Household Pests
Upon Fergus’s eventual return to their Stormont Street flat in Perth, the family hoped their period of acute anxiety was behind them. However, their relief was short-lived as the unwelcome presence of cockroaches, which had previously plagued their home, returned for a second time this year. This recurrence ignited a deep fear in Meaghan, who now suspects a chilling connection between the insect infestation and her son’s near-fatal illness.
Her suspicions gained weight after a conversation with a pest control expert. The professional, during a visit to their council-managed property, informed Meaghan that cockroaches are known carriers of various bacteria, including Streptococcus, the very pathogen responsible for Strep A infections. This revelation solidified Meaghan’s resolve: she is no longer willing to risk her son’s fragile health by remaining in an environment she believes could trigger another medical emergency. A Mother’s Refusal and Council’s Shifting Stance
Initially, Perth and Kinross Council suggested a repeat fumigation of the Stormont Street flat, expecting the family to continue residing there. But for Meaghan, this was an unacceptable proposition. Having witnessed Fergus’s intense struggle and the devastating impact of sepsis firsthand, she adamantly refused to gamble with his well-being again. She describes tirelessly disinfecting every surface in their home, the persistent smell of sanitiser a constant reminder of the unseen threat lurking within their living space.
The family’s pleas for rehousing had seemingly reached an impasse, with Meaghan being informed that her case was on hold due to a housing co-ordinator’s annual leave. However, a significant breakthrough occurred after external inquiries were made regarding their situation. Following this intervention, Perth and Kinross Council re-engaged with Meaghan and her family, subsequently offering them a permanent new home. Hope for a New Beginning, But Concerns Remain
While the offer of a new property brings immense relief, the family understands that it may take several weeks before they can move in. In the interim, Fergus’s medical consultants are closely monitoring his health, ensuring any signs of recurrence are promptly addressed. Meaghan expresses her profound gratitude that the council is now treating her concerns with the urgency and seriousness she believes they warranted from the outset, though she laments the protracted process that led to this resolution.
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council confirmed their awareness of the issue and their active engagement with the tenants regarding both immediate and long-term accommodation solutions. They stated: “Our investigations suggest that the infestation has originated in another property in the block and we have appointed a specialist contractor who is currently at work to address the issue in the interests of all tenants on site.” This official statement underscores the complex nature of pest control in multi-dwelling units and the council’s efforts to mitigate the problem for all affected residents in the Perth city centre area.
Meaghan hopes her family’s challenging experience will highlight the critical need for prompt and decisive action in addressing public health concerns related to housing. She hopes that no other family in the Perth and Kinross community will have to endure a similar ordeal to secure a safe and healthy living environment.