6 Common Diseases Rats Can Carry

Although known for chewing through everything, from walls and boxes to wire, causing structural damage, what’s an even scarier risk are the diseases they carry.

For millennia, rats have existed side-by-side with humans. Unfortunately, this closeness comes with a price, from dealing with serious diseases to unfortunately fatal outcomes at times.

One good piece of news is that you shouldn’t be too concerned about their bite since there’s only a slight chance that might happen. What’s more worrisome is that you can become sick from airborne contaminants or from objects they’ve run across.

Here is a thorough look at some of the most infamous diseases carried by rats and how you can free yourself and your family from these unwelcome visitors.

Leptospirosis

People or animals who come into touch with water or soil contaminated by rat urine are likely to develop Leptospirosis. It manifests itself through skin cuts or mucous membranes such as those in the nose or eyes.

Once infected, individuals can experience a variety of symptoms ranging from minor flu-like effects to more severe problems, such as kidney damage, liver failure, and meningitis. Under extreme circumstances, this disease can lead to death if left untreated.

Not to mention, it is difficult to diagnose immediately since its symptoms sometimes resemble those of other illnesses.

The likelihood of this sickness increases as the temperature gets warmer, particularly in places where rat populations flourish near water supplies or open sewers.

Therefore, maintain a clean house and make sure it has no standing water that can draw in rats. Nonetheless, if the infestation spirals out of control, rat control services are a great solution.

Hantavirus

This is another sickness brought on by wild rodents like the cotton rat and the deer mouse. Rat droppings, urine, or saliva transfer the virus.

Not to mention, Hantavirus can be contracted by airborne particles, which is even more worrisome. Hence, extra caution about contaminated surfaces and cleanliness is highly advised.

At first, early Hantavirus symptoms include fever, exhaustion, and muscular aches, which are highly similar to flu. Untreated, though, it can develop into Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a dangerous respiratory illness, sometimes fatal.

Though incidences of hantavirus are somewhat rare, it’s still alarming. Having said that, if you do have a rat issue, you should exercise careful dropping cleanup with gloves and a mask on.

Salmonella

Although people are well aware that some foods can transmit Salmonella, many people don’t know rats can be carriers, too. In fact, rats can contaminate any food or surfaces that they come in contact with.

Once ingested, the bacteria will create a snowball of symptoms like diarrhoea, stomach pains, and a fever. Unfortunately, these symptoms could linger for days or even weeks, leading to Salmonella.

It can be far more severe in susceptible groups such as young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. A rat infestation increases the danger, especially if they are regularly scavenging through your pantry or kitchen.

Therefore, deep clean your home and seal food products, keeping them out of reach.

Rat-borne Fever

This presents with fever, vomiting, a rash, and muscular aches. Sometimes, it can cause more major problems, such as cardiovascular complications, infections, or pneumonia. It can also cause death if completely neglected.

If you are handling a rat issue, you should be wary since the bacteria causing this disease can be found in both wild and domestic rats. If you suspect you have been exposed, you should immediately see a doctor.

Always avoid direct contact with rats and wear protective gloves while handling them or cleaning their droppings.

The Bubonic Plague

Although it is no longer that common, it is still present, and rats are still among its main carriers. In the unfortunate case that a person has contrived it, they will experience fever, chills, weakness, and lymph node swelling.

The bubonic form of plague, characterised by swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills, headache, and fatigue, was the most common manifestation. If untreated, it could progress to septicemic or pneumonic forms, which were even more deadly.

When infected, you need to take antibiotics right away, or else the disease is lethal.

Although incidents are rare, especially in cities, locations with high rat populations can be in serious danger if left without proper sanitisation and immunisation.

Tularemia

This is a bacterial disease that is usually connected to wild animals. A bite from an infected animal or breathing into polluted aerosols can all cause tularaemia.

Similar to the aforementioned diseases, contaminated food and water supplies can also affect humans.

Though rare, this disease can cause major symptoms, including rapid fever, skin ulcers, swollen glands, and respiratory issues. Although medications can treat tularaemia, if neglected, the disease can spread quickly.

The best lines of protection are minimising your interaction with rats, making sure food is correctly wrapped, and having any infestation professionally controlled.

Although typical house mice carry the virus known as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), rats can also be responsible. Humans can get infected by breathing dust tainted with rat droppings, urine, or saliva.

LCMV symptoms could range from mild flu-like disease to more serious neurological problems such as meningitis or encephalitis.

Pregnant women who get affected are at risk of major consequences like congenital defects in their unborn child.

Guarding Your Home and Yourself

Rats breed rapidly once they have a proper home. Therefore, they have the ability to transform a small bother into a full-fledged epidemic.

Thus, protect yourself through early action.

Get in touch with experts in pest management who can evaluate the issue, design a strategy, and guarantee the rats are successfully eradicated.

Furthermore, always make sure you wear gloves and a mask, and sanitise the surfaces rats have touched in order to reduce the possibility of an infection.

Conclusion

Rats carry several deadly diseases that can seriously compromise human health. Thus, knowing which diseases are linked to rats can help you protect your house and your family. 

If you believe you have a rat problem, move fast and practise the pre-emptive measures. Never compromise your health or leave it to chance once you know rats have been sighted on your property.