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What diseases do rats carry?
Discovering a rat or mouse in your home is unsettling, particularly when considering the numerous health risks they carry. Rodents are notorious vectors for bacteria and can transmit a variety of potentially life-threatening diseases. In Mid-South TN, residents face the risk of exposure to several diseases commonly associated with rodents, including:
- Colorado tick fever
- Hantavirus
- Lyme disease
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)
- Salmonellosis
- Leptospirosis
- Rat-bite fever
- Bubonic plague
How Do Rodents Get People Sick?
People can contract rodent-borne illnesses through various routes of transmission. Direct contact with rodents, their urine, feces, or saliva poses a significant risk of infection, particularly if individuals have open wounds or mucous membranes.
Additionally, inhalation of airborne particles contaminated with rodent droppings or urine can lead to respiratory infections, such as Hantavirus. Indirect transmission occurs when rodents introduce infected parasites like fleas, ticks, or mites into the environment, subsequently exposing humans to disease.
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Symptoms of Common Rodent-Borne Illnesses
Understanding the symptoms of the most common rodent-borne illnesses in Mid-South TN can help you determine whether you need medical attention. Some of the biggest symptoms to keep an eye out for include:
- Hantavirus: Primarily spread by deer mice, this respiratory disease can lead to fever and chills and may be fatal without prompt medical intervention.
- Salmonella: Often associated with food poisoning, Salmonella is transmitted when rodents contaminate food surfaces, resulting in symptoms such as vomiting and severe stomach pain.
- Bubonic plague: A severe illness transmitted through infected fleas, the bubonic plague can be fatal if left untreated.
- Rat-bite fever (RBF): This disease spreads through bites and scratches from rodents, emphasizing the importance of proper handling, even with deceased rodents.
If you are experiencing any concerning health symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care.
How to Avoid Rodent-Borne Diseases
Professional rodent control plays a pivotal role in safeguarding against rodent-borne illnesses by effectively managing and eradicating infestations. Trained exterminators possess the expertise to identify and eliminate rodent populations, reducing the risk of disease transmission to humans. To protect yourself and your family, speak with an expert today!
