Emails indicate rat infestation at downtown Orlando middle school

A middle school in downtown Orlando may have a rat infestation.

Internal emails sent by an assistant principal at Howard Middle School apparently details the rat problem.

"We seem to be getting overrun with rats in many areas across the campus," assistant principal James Morse wrote in one email to the district's maintenance manager.

The first email dates back to the beginning of February and the issue seems to be worsening. Morse sent another email to the maintenance department on Monday.

"We have an infestation of live rats running the ceiling of the cafeteria," Morse wrote in another email. "(It's a) health and safety issue with large amounts of rat urine and feces."

Parents were shocked to learn about the apparent rat problem and said they weren't aware of it.

"That's pretty bad, truly," parent Melanie Fay said. "They should let parents know, and if there's an issue, close the school for a few days to get them out."

It's unclear what measures have been taken to get rid of the rats.