Seeing a mice or rat scurry in your home is a sign of a serious problem. But, noise and gnawing are just the start. Rodents make large quantities of excrement, and being exposed to it puts you at risk for several life-threatening diseases:
Hantavirus
Mostly in the Western United States, this virus is transmitted through rats’ and mice’s saliva, urine, droppings, and nesting material, by breathing in these substances, or by a bite. Symptoms appear one to five weeks after exposure.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM)
This viral infection is usually transmitted by house mice, five percent of which carry it. Not only will it affect humans, but it may further make some pets, like hamsters, sick.
This disease is also picked up through exposure to bodily fluids, and is known for a two-step process. It comes on through general symptoms like fever, malaise, a lack of appetite, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and vomiting. Then, it progresses to a neurologic disease, such as meningitis and encephalitis. As a result, it may cause temporary or permanent neurological damage.
Tularemia
Transmitted by bacteria Francisella Tularensis, this condition is found throughout the U.S. Exposure leads to a fever, which then accelerates into conditions like ulceroglandular disease, a condition characterized by ulcers and swelling of regional lymph glands. While it is life threatening, it can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
Leptospirosis
This condition, occurring worldwide, occurs when rodents’ bodily fluids enter your food or water supply, and then come in contact with your skin or mucous membranes.
Plague
Humans, even in the U.S., have picked up this extremely fatal disease after direct contact with rodents or bites from fleas.
Rat Bite Fever
A bite or scratch, or even contaminated food, leads to fever, vomiting, headaches, muscle and joint pains, and a rash. Symptoms, starting with the rash, appear within three to 10 days of exposure.
Salmonella
Although commonly associated with food poisoning, exposure to these bacteria, spread by rodents’ fecal matter and urine, may lead to a fatal case of gastroenteritis.
Before making you, yourself, and your pets sick, get the problem dealt with. At the sign of a rodent infestation, contact Eliminate ‘Em for 24/7 pest control service. We’ll assess the problem and quickly implement a solution.
