Diseases transmitted by rodents are the main reason why this pest is so dangerous. These animals are capable of transmitting viruses, parasites, and bacteria that can seriously affect our health. That’s why infestations of homes and establishments with these animals cannot be tolerated.
The truth is that many people are unaware of the diseases transmitted by rodents and therefore underestimate their danger. In this article, we will discuss the main diseases transmitted by these animals. Keep reading to learn about these diseases and their level of danger to our health.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
We’ll start the list of diseases transmitted by rodents with hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. This syndrome can be transmitted by cotton rats, white-footed mice, and rice rats, as these are species capable of carrying and spreading this virus to humans.
Rodents carrying the viruses that cause this disease are not affected by it themselves. However, they can spread the virus through substances like saliva, urine, and feces. This virus typically affects major organs such as the heart, kidneys, and lungs of affected individuals.
Most rodents capable of spreading this virus are found in Latin America. Therefore, infections often occur frequently in countries in this region. The main causes of infection involve coming into contact with these rodents or their bodily fluids.
Leptospirosis
Another disease transmitted by rodents that we should pay attention to is leptospirosis. This disease is transmitted by a series of bacteria that can be carried by rodents. However, rodents are not the only animals that carry this bacterium and can transmit it to humans.
Farm animals, for example, can also transmit this disease, just like rodents. It’s difficult to know because these animals are not really affected by the disease. However, humans can be severely affected by these bacteria.
Symptoms of this disease in milder cases can resemble a conventional flu, including reactions like fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms can progress to kidney and liver failure and even meningitis in more severe cases.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
If we’re talking about common diseases transmitted by rodents, we can’t forget to mention LCM. Known as lymphocytic choriomeningitis, it’s one of the most common diseases attributed to common house mice. Therefore, this disease can appear anywhere in the world.
This disease primarily affects neurological functions in people, causing symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and nausea in the early stages of the disease. All of these can progress to more severe symptoms such as meningitis and encephalitis.
Plague
The plague is a disease that left its mark on history by wiping out a large percentage of the population of medieval Europe. This disease is transmitted by rodents and is due to the Yersinia pestis bacteria. It’s therefore one of the most serious rodent-transmitted diseases in history.
While this disease is typically associated with rodents, they’re not the only animals that can carry the Yersinia pestis bacterium. Fleas, another plague carrier, can transmit this disease, as can other animals like rock squirrels, prairie dogs, wood rats, and ground squirrels.
Today, thanks to modern medicine, it can be easily treated if detected promptly. Symptoms of this disease include nausea and vomiting accompanied by severe abdominal pain and extreme weakness. Chills with very high fevers are also common.
Rat Bite Fever
Rodents are animals that only attack when they feel particularly cornered and have no escape options. In cases where humans are bitten by rats or similar rodents, they can develop rat bite fever, caused by the bacteria these animals usually carry in their oral cavity.
Depending on the geographical area where the rats are found, the strains of bacteria can differ. For example, in Europe and North America, the most common strain causing this disease is Streptobacillus moniliformis.
Symptoms of this disease can start as a fever with headaches, nausea, and vomiting. This can then progress to muscle pain accompanied by rashes on the feet and hands. If left untreated, this disease can lead to lung and brain infections and even heart infections.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is a disease transmitted through food and can occur anywhere in the world. This disease can be transmitted due to food or water contaminated with rodent urine or feces, although this is not the only cause of the disease’s spread.
This disease usually causes mild symptoms, as in most animals, including humans, the bacterium resides in the intestinal system. However, when the infection becomes severe, it can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, those affected may even have blood in their stool.
Tularemia
Tularemia is one of the most common diseases transmitted by rodents because it’s very common in these animals worldwide. Rodents from all over the world can carry the Francisella tularensis bacterium. However, this disease can also be transmitted by some insects.
If the infection occurs through an insect bite, an ulcer may appear at the site of the bite. If the infection is through contaminated food ingestion, it can cause coughing, glandular swelling, and even lung infections. This disease can cause mild symptoms or become fatal in some cases.
Principio del formulario
