Diseases Transmitted By Rodents
According to the Centers for Disease Control, rodents spread numerous diseases across the globe. These diseases can be spread by rats and mice through their droppings and urine directly or by contamination of food and water we eat and drink. They can also be spread indirectly by fleas and ticks that have feed on the infected rodent.
Diseases Spread By Rodents
1. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Found throughout most of North and South America.
Rodents involved include the deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat and cotton rat.
Spread by breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine/droppings or direct contact with rodents or their urine or droppings.
2. Leptospirosis
Found worldwide.
Spread by rodents and other animals.
Spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by urine of infected animal or contact through the skin from soil or water contaminated with urine.
3. Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM)
Found worldwide.
Rodent involved is the house mouse.
Spread by breathing in dust contaminated with urine and droppings or direct contact with rodent and their urine or droppings.
4. Plague
Found in the Western United States, South America, Africa, Asia.
Rodents and other animals involved.
Spread by bite of infected flea or direct contact with infected animal.
5. Rat-Bite Fever
Found worldwide. Streptobacillus moniliformis in North America.
Rats and possibly mice involved.
Spread by bite or scratch from infected rodent, contact with a dead rodent, or eating food or drinking water contaminated by droppings.
6. Salmonellosis
Found worldwide.
Rats and mice involved.
Spread by eating food or drinking water contaminated by droppings.
7. Tularemia
Found worldwide.
Rodents and other animals involved.
Spread by handling dead animal, being bitten by infected flea or other insect, eating or drinking contaminated food or water, or breathing in the bacteria, F. tularensis.
If you have additional questions pertaining to rodent diseases or need advice on eliminating rodents from your home or business in East Tennessee call Epituer Pest Solutions, LLC at 865-363-1155 or contact us online.