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Rat and Mice Diseases

Serving Vancouver WA | Portland OR | Beaverton OR

Antworks talks about the mice diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

Mice and rats are not only a nuisance, but they also carry many different types of harmful diseases. Whatsmore, a person can easily contract rodent diseases in a variety of ways. That’s why it’s important to eliminate a rodent infestation quickly.

Direct and Indirect Mice Diseases

First, it’s important to know rat and mice diseases are transmitted two ways:

  • Directly: when exposed to rat-infected waste, urine, and bites.
  • Indirectly: when transmitted through ticks, mites, and fleas.

Common Rodent Diseases Transmitted Through Direct Contact

  • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome: This virus is transmitted to humans after they’ve come in contact with rat waste, urine, and saliva. It is also transmitted when this waste becomes airborne and is inhaled. Initial symptoms may be mistaken for the flu. However, when the illness progresses, breathing problems will occur and may result in death if not treated immediately. Norway rats and roof rats, which are very common in the Pacific Northwest, are not known to carry hantavirus.
  • Salmonellosis: While known to be caused by undercooked eggs and meat, this virus can also be contracted by consuming food or water contaminated by rodent feces bacteria.
  • Rat-bite Fever: RBF can be passed through bites and scratches from an infected rodent; alive or dead.
  • Leptospirosis: Also known as Weil’s Disease, this international bacterial disease can spread through food, water, and soil contaminated with mouse or rat urine.

Common Rat Diseases Transmitted Through Indirect Contact

  • Plague: This disease, which is mostly transmitted by domestic rats, is carried by fleas that have been feeding on rats and then jump on people.
  • Colorado Tick Fever: More common in the western states, this viral disease is transmitted by ticks that have fed on rodents.
  • Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: This bacterial disease is transmitted through ticks and is common in the U.S. because of the white-footed mouse. This disease can cause renal, neurological, respiratory problems, and even death.

These are just some of the dozens of mice and rat diseases out there. others include rabies, Lyme disease, Toxoplasmosis, Rickettsia, and more. Several of these rat and mice diseases have a latency period of one to two weeks after a person is infected and show signs similar to the flu. Some diseases, if left untreated, can result in death. If you’ve become ill and have a rodent infestation, seek a medical professional.

The Importance of Post Rodent Removal Cleanup

Because these diseases can be transmitted quite easily, it’s important that all dead rodents, their feces, and nests be removed properly from the home. Here are some precautions you can take when cleaning up after an infestation.

  • Before cleaning up your home, ventilate it by opening doors and windows for at least 30 minutes.
  • Wear a respirator with functioning cartridges.
  • Wear rubber, latex or vinyl gloves when handling rat and mice carcasses or droppings.
  • Before sweeping, spray areas that are believed to be contaminated, with a disinfectant spray that way droppings, dander or urine don’t become airborne.

Pest Control Experts You Can Count On

If you believe you’re dealing with a serious rodent infestation, you may consider contacting a professional. At Antworks, our licensed exterminators will locate rodent entry points and eliminate your rodent infestation for good. Contact us today!

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Do Mice and Rats Carry Diseases? IN VANCOUVER WA AND PORTLAND OR

Serving Clients in the Vancouver WA Area | Downtown Vancouver | East Vancouver | West Vancouver | Fruit Valley | Hazel Dell | Felida | Cascade Park | Camas Washington | Ridgefield | Salmon Creek | Battleground | Orchards | La Center | Washougal | Brush Prairie

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