Diseases Spread by Rodents
Rodents can spread several diseases to humans through direct contact, bites, or indirectly through their droppings, urine, or fleas. Some common diseases spread by rodents include:
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- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Spread primarily by deer mice, white-footed mice, and cotton rats. Humans can become infected by inhaling airborne particles from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva contaminated dust.
- Leptospirosis: Caused by bacteria spread through the urine of infected rodents (such as rats). Humans can contract it through direct contact with urine or contaminated water and soil.
- Salmonellosis: Rodents, particularly mice and rats, can carry Salmonella bacteria and spread it through their droppings and urine. Humans can become infected by consuming contaminated food or water or by handling contaminated objects.
- Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM): Spread by house mice. Humans can contract LCM through contact with mouse urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials.
- Plague: Although rare today, plague is caused by Yersinia pestis bacteria, usually spread through flea bites from infected rodents (such as rats, ground squirrels, or prairie dogs).
- Tularemia: Spread through direct contact with infected animals (including rodents), ingestion of contaminated food or water, or through tick or deer fly bites.
- Rat-bite Fever: Caused by bacteria transmitted by the bite or scratch of an infected rodent (such as rats or mice), or through contact with their urine or droppings.
- Toxoplasmosis: Although commonly associated with cats, rodents can also be intermediate hosts for the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Humans can become infected by handling contaminated soil, cat litter, or consuming undercooked meat.
