Most people think of rodents as a nuisance. People even laugh about the many mimes on the internet of an elephant scared of a mouse running by it or a strong man screaming like a little girl at the sight of a mouse. Rodents are actually very dangerous and can contaminate our air, food and water with serious, life-threatening diseases.
A rodent is defined as a gnawing mammal of an order that includes rats, mice, squirrels, hamsters, porcupines, and their relatives, distinguished by strong steadily growing incisors and no canine teeth. They constitute the most significant order of mammals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are multiple diseases directly transmitted by rodents. Rodents can also spread diseases indirectly. Here is information about each disease.
1. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Rodent(s) involved
Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), Cotton rat (Sigmodon Hispidus), Rice rat (Oryzomys palustris), White-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
Agent
Virus
Where the disease occurs
Throughout most of North and South America
How the disease spreads
- Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
- Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
Additional Information
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
2.Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
Rodent(s) involved
Striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius), brown or Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus), yellow-necked field mouse (Apodemus flavicollis)
Agent
Virus
Where the disease occurs
Primarily in eastern Asia, Russia, Korea, Scandinavia, western Europe, and the Balkans
How the disease spreads
- Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
- Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
- The disease may spread through direct contact from person to person, but it is extremely rare
Additional Information
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
3.Lassa Fever
Rodent(s) involved
Multi-mammate rat (Mastomys natalensis species complex)
Agent
Virus
Where the disease occurs
West Africa
How the disease spreads
- Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
- Eating food that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
- The disease may spread through direct contact from person to person
Additional Information
4. Leptospirosis
Rodent(s) involved
Rodents and other animals
Agent
Bacteria
Where the disease occurs
Worldwide
How the disease spreads
- Eating food or drinking water contaminated with urine from infected animals
- Contact through the skin or mucous membranes (such as inside the nose) with water or soil that is contaminated with the urine from infected animals
Additional Information
5. Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis
Rodent(s) involved
House mouse (Mus musculus)
Agent
Virus
Where the disease occurs
Worldwide
How the disease spreads
- Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
- Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
Additional Information
6. Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
Rodent(s) involved
Muskrats and possibly narrow-skulled voles
Agent
Virus
Where the disease occurs
Western Siberia
How the disease spreads
- Direct contact with an infected animal
- Bite from an infected tick
Additional Information
7. Plague
Rodent(s) involved
Wild rodents, including rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats, fox squirrels and other species of ground squirrels and chipmunks
Agent
Bacteria
Where the disease occurs
Western US, South America, Africa, Asia
How the disease spreads
- The bite of an infected flea
- Direct contact with an infected animal
Additional Information
8. Rat-Bite Fever
Rodent(s) involved
Rats and possibly mice
Agent
Bacteria
Where the disease occurs
Worldwide; Streptobacillus moniliformis in North America and Europe; Spirillum minue in Asia and Africa
How the disease spreads
- Bite or scratch wound from an infected rodent, or contact with a dead rodent
- Eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated by rat feces.
Additional Information
9. Salmonella
Rodent(s) involved
Rats and mice
Agent
Bacteria
Where the disease occurs
Worldwide
How the disease spreads
- Eating or drinking food or water that is contaminated by rat feces
Additional Information
Key Messages About Pet Rodents
Key Messages About Rodents Used For Pet Food
10. Arenaviruses
Rodent(s) involved
Cane rat (Zygodontomys brevicauda), drylands vesper mouse, (Calomys musculinus), large vesper mouse (Calomys callosus)
Agent
Virus
Where the disease occurs
South America: parts of Argentina, Bolivia, Venezuela and Brazil
How the disease spreads
- Breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings
- Bite wounds, although this does not happen frequently
- The disease may rarely spread through direct contact from person to person
Additional Information
11. Tularemia
Rodent(s) involved
Wild rodents, including muskrats, ground squirrels and beavers
Agent
Bacteria
Where the disease occurs
Worldwide
How the disease spreads
- Handling infected animal carcasses
- Being bitten by an infected tick, deerfly or other insect
- Eating or drinking contaminated food or water
- Breathing in the bacteria, F. tularensis
Additional Information
The above disease information is sourced from the Center for Disease Control.
If you have a rodent infestation in your home, you and your family are at serious risk for a disease. If you suspect you have an infestation, don’t delay in reaching out to us! Please let our team of professionals help you. Don’t spend your valuable time dealing with things that we can handle for you. If you’re in any of the surrounding areas, give Proactive Pest Control a call at 770-800-PEST or 770-800-7378.
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