by HannahDiseases Spread By Rats
Rodents, particularly rats, carry diseases, bacteria and parasites that can spread to humans, causing serious health complications.
While rats can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems, anyone can contract diseases from rats.
Keep reading to learn more about the diseases caused by rats and how you can protect yourself and your family.
What Diseases Do Rats Carry?
Rats carry dozens of different diseases, but some of the most commonly found strains that can spread to humans include the following:
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world, affecting both humans and animals.
This bacterial disease is spread through contact with infected urine, whether this is direct contact or through soil or drinking water contaminated with Leptospira bacteria.
Symptoms include a high temperature, aches, diarrhoea, vomiting and redness in the whites of your eyes.
Leptospirosis is usually easy to treat and requires a course of antibiotics, but it can become a more dangerous strain.
Weil’s Disease
In some cases, Leptospirosis can become Weil’s Disease, a more acute form of the infection that can be fatal and requires fast treatment.
While the symptoms may start similar to Leptospirosis, they could develop to include swollen extremities, such as feet or hands, chest pains, seizures and jaundice.
As soon as you notice any of these symptoms, you need urgent medical attention. This may involve being admitted to hospital and placed in intensive care.
While Weil’s Disease is uncommon, it is vital that you are vigilant and watch out for these symptoms if you are in close proximity to a rodent infestation.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a collective term for a group of viruses transmitted by rodents, such as rats and mice. Among these is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), which can be potentially fatal in some cases.
Early symptoms include fever, fatigue and muscle aches, which can be accompanies by headaches, chills, muscle aches and even vomiting and other digestive issues.
HPS and other Hantavirus diseases often show symptoms a week or more after contact with an infected rodent, it’s important that you are vigilant and watch out for these symptoms days or even weeks after any incidents occur.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis is an infection caused by the Salmonella bacteria, which can be found in rodent droppings and urine.
The most common way that Salmonellosis is transmitted by rodents is through contamination on farms, where the bacteria can spread to livestock that produce meat or dairy products.
In homes with a rat infestation, the rodents could contaminate food preparation areas or stored products that are then consumed.
Symptoms of Salmonellosis are similar to acute food poisoning, and include diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and stomach pains.
Often, the illness abates on its own, but if the symptoms persist for more than a couple of days you should speak to your doctor.
Rat Bite Fever
Rat Bite Fever is an acute febrile disease that is passed between humans and rodents and needs to be treated quickly.
Despite the name, Rat Bite Fever is not only spread by rats, but also mice and squirrels, as well as pet rodent species such as guinea pigs and gerbils.
It is also not caused exclusively by bites, but also through scratches and even contact with contaminated rat urine or droppings.
Early symptoms are similar to flu, but may develop into bumpy rashes and joint pain in severe cases. Make sure you seek medical treatment if you suspect Rat Bite Fever.
Tularemia
Tularemia is caused by the bacteria Francisella tularensis, which can be spread not only by rats but also by other rodents, ticks, fleas and biting flies.
This highly infectious disease is also known as rabbit fever or deer fly fever, and can be transmitted through contact with rats, their urine or droppings. You can also get Tularemia from inhaling dust that has been contaminated by rodents.
Anyone with a weakened immune system is at higher risk of Tularemia. The symptoms include headaches, swollen lymph nodes, fever, chills and muscle aches.
While the symptoms are similar to Lyme Disease, Tularemia can be more dangerous, so if you notice any symptoms you should go to your doctor immediately.
Plague
When most people hear the word plague, they think of the disease from the Middle Ages, but plague is still prevalent to this day in the form of the bacteria Yersinia pestis.
Plague is a term for a bacterial disease spread by rodents and other pests. There are various types of plague including bubonic plague, which was also known as the Black Death.
As the nickname suggests, bubonic plague can cause a painful death. Symptoms include fever and extreme weakness, followed by shock, diarrhoea, vomiting, delirium and, in some cases, bleeding from the skin and other areas.
While plague is rare, if you get any of these symptoms then you need to get medical attention immediately to reduce the chance of further damage to your health.
How Can You Catch Diseases From Infected Rats?
There are many ways you can catch diseases from rats. Some of the most common include:
- Bites: If a rat bites you, then you could develop Rat Bite Fever or another bacterial disease. You could also develop a skin infection from the wound.
- Scratches: Like bites, scratches from rats can allow their salvia and other bodily fluids to come into contact with your blood and allow bacteria to enter your bloodstream.
- Excretions: Droppings, urine and even saliva from infected rats can spread diseases.
- Inhalation: Many diseases can be spread through the air, so if you inhale dust, dried urine or particles from droppings from an infected rat then you could become ill.
- Contaminated Food: Eating food that has been contaminated by rats, either through them touching it or contact with their droppings or urine, can cause food poisoning, Salmonellosis and other illnesses.
- Second-Hand Contamination: If you come into contact with a pet or another person who has been infected by a rat, then you could also catch the same disease.
What Other Health Issues Can Rats Cause?
As well as these diseases, rats can also cause a range of other health issues, including:
- Parasites: Rats carry parasites, such as fleas, worms and lice, which can spread to humans and other animals, such as pets or livestock.
- Food Poisoning: Several of the diseases carried by rats are spread through contaminated food, and can cause symptoms such as vomiting, nausea and more.
- Skin Infections: As well as rat bite fever, a bite can also make your skin infected, which can be painful and require medical attention.
- Allergies: Some people might be allergic to rats, and might start sneezing or coughing as a result of being in close proximity to rat droppings and urine.
- Asthma Attacks: If you have asthma, then exposure to rats, rat urine and droppings could risk bringing on an asthma attack.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Diseases Spread By Rats?
The best way to protect yourself from diseases is to ensure that you are never in close proximity to infected rodents, rodent droppings and other debris. Because it can be hard to tell if a rat has a disease or not, it’s crucial that you stay away from rodents in general.
While it’s easy to avoid rats in public, it can be tough if you have a rat infestation in your home. Rats are flexible and can get in through even small holes in brickwork. Another common entry point for rats is your drains.
Rats live in sewers, and they often chew through external pipes and then crawl through the drains into your property.
So, if you have a rat infestation but can’t find obvious access points, then this could be a sign that the rats are entering through your drains.
At Flytech, we specialise in drain surveys to identify rat entry points. Once we know how the rats are getting inside, we can provide rat control and proofing services to ensure that they can’t return and protect your family.
Alongside rats, we can also eradicate mice, squirrels and insect pests, for homes and businesses across Belfast, Lisburn, Antrim, Newtownards, Bangor, Carrickfergus, Newtownabbey, and beyond.
If you think you have rats in your property and need expert support, contact us today on 07955 008274 to get expert rat control.