What Diseases Can Rats and Other Rodents Spread?

Rats, mice, and other rodents can become a real nuisance inside a home. Not only can they chew through electrical wires and contaminate your insulation with their droppings, but rodents are also notorious for spreading disease. This makes contacting 707 Pest Solutions even more important when you suspect rodents are living inside your home.

Can Rats and Rodents Spread Diseases to Humans?

Absolutely they can! Rats and mice are known to spread many different diseases. According to the CDC, these diseases can spread to people directly by handling rodents, their feces, urine, or saliva (such as breathing in air or eating food contaminated with rodent waste), or through rodent bites. Rodents can also carry ticks, fleas, or mites that can spread diseases onto people. Infestation of rodents in or around your home is the main reason disease spreads from rodents to people. We urge you not to handle rodents or their droppings, as direct contact could cause infection. Instead, contact the professionals at 707 Pest Solutions to remove the rodents and their droppings for you!

What Diseases Can Rats & Rodents Spread?

Now that we know how rats and rodents spread disease, it’s equally important to understand their common infections. If you believe you might be suffering from any of the symptoms below, please seek medical attention immediately. 

Hantavirus

Hantavirus can spread to humans through direct contact with rodent feces or urine. This is a dangerous disease with no specific cure or treatment available. Symptoms of Hantavirus include fatigue, aches and pains, fever, and headaches. If the virus is able to progress, it can eventually cause abdominal and respiratory issues that can necessitate admission into an ICU.

Rat Bite Fever

Rat Bite Fever can be acquired following a bite from an infected rodent. It can also be transmitted by simply handling an infected rodent. Symptoms of rat bite fever include muscle pain, rashes, fever, vomiting, and headaches.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease commonly acquired due to exposure to infected water. Symptoms include headache, fever, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

Salmonella

That’s right – the same disease you can get from eating undercooked chicken or raw eggs can also be contracted through rodents. Rodents can carry Salmonella in their intestinal tract and deposit it in your home through their droppings. As the droppings sit within your home, the bacteria can contaminate the air you and your family breathe. Symptoms of Salmonella include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, chills, and abdominal pain.

Tularemia

Tularemia is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through fleas or ticks living on host rodents. A flea or tick will first bite an infected rodent and then spread the disease onto humans through their bite. Tularemia can lead to skin ulcers at the site of the bite, along with chills, fever, and headaches.

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus

Also known as LCMV, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis virus is commonly found in house mice. Humans can contract this virus through contact with the urine or saliva of infected rodents. Symptoms of LCMV include nausea, headache, lack of appetite, and even neurological issues in some patients.

Rodent Control with 707 Pest Solutions

Rats and rodents can spread dangerous diseases, making rodent control so important. Even if your home is free of rats and mice, preventative measures are essential to avoiding an infestation. If you believe there are currently rodents in your home, contact 707 Pest Solutions for a rodent inspection. We are a family-owned pest and wildlife control company local to Humboldt County.