What dangerous diseases carried by rodents can put humans at risk?
- Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)
- Lassa Fever
- Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
- Leptospirosis
One of the most common pests subjected to pest control are rodents. To control these little home invaders would be one of the most tedious tasks that a pest control professional can do. Eliminating them from your home should be done as soon as possible because they can carry dangerous diseases that can put humans at risk. It would be very hazardous if you experience rodent bites, scratches, and exposure to their waste. The following is a list of diseases and the risk rodents pose to humans:
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome can be spread by breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings, through direct contact with these rodents, and through bite wounds. This viral disease is commonly transmitted by the rice rat. Other than that species, you can also contract this disease from the deer mouse, cotton rat, or white-footed mouse.
Symptoms of the virus include:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Muscle Aches especially in thighs, hips, back, and shoulders
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Chills
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal Pain
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)
The Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus, or LCMV, is one of the most widespread diseases from rodents because its host is the common house mouse. LCMV can manifest in two stages. Its symptoms can be found below:
First Stage
The first stage of LCMV can occur in common sickness such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Muscle Aches
- Lack of Appetite
Second Stage
The second stage affects the neurological processes with symptoms such as:
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Meningoencephalitis
Although fatal LCMV cases are rare, it is still a serious disease. You can avoid this disease by exterminating the rodents in your home. At the first sighting of a rodent, you should call your friendly pest control experts to take care of them.
Lassa Fever
This is typically common in West African countries, the Lassa Fever is an acute illness that can last for 2-21 days. People can get infected with Lassa Fever if they ingest food or be in direct contact with household items which are contaminated with rat feces or urine.
Although it is not prevalent in the Philippines (it is dominant in countries such as Ghana, Liberia, Sierra, and Mali among others), it is still a good thing to be knowledgeable of such diseases to know the dangerous risks that rodents can pose for you and your family. According to the World Health Organization, people do not usually show symptoms of having Lassa Fever, but it is a deadly disease that you should watch out for in mild and serious symptoms such as:
Mild Symptoms
- Slight Fever
- General Malaise
- Weakness
- Headaches
Serious Symptoms:
- Hemorrhaging (in gums, eyes, nose)
- Respiratory Distress
- Repeated Vomiting
- Facial Swelling
- Chest, Back, Abdominal Pain
- Shock
- Neurological Problems such as hearing loss which may be fully determined through a Hearing Test, tremors, and encephalitis
The Lassa Fever is evidence that rodents can be a serious detractor to people’s health. There are many cases in West Africa reporting that many people have died because of multi-organ failure. It is a far-off disease in the country, but this is where you will know that rodents are not to be messed with.
Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome
This disease commonly occurs in Asia, Russia, Korea, Scandinavia, Western Europe, and the Balkans. It is caused by hantaviruses which can be transmitted by exposure to the urine, droppings, or saliva of rodents, through broken skin or onto the mucous membranes such as the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Those who are usually in presence of rodents can also contract this disease through their bites. The symptoms of a hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome can show in the span of 1-2 weeks. These include:
- Intense Headaches
- Back and Abdominal Pain
- Fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Blurred Vision
- Flushing of the Face
- Rash
- Inflammation
- Redness of the Eyes
In most extreme cases, it can result in high blood pressure, acute shock, vascular leakage, and acute kidney failure causing severe fluid overload. The severity of this disease is no laughing matter which makes rodents a deadly force to reckon.
Leptospirosis
One of the deadliest diseases caused by rodents, Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection caused by coming into contact with infected water through swimming, wading, or drinking flood water.
Rat urine and droppings are the usual transmitters of this disease and in a tropical country such as the Philippines, flash floods, like the ones mentioned on the site here, can increase the risk of contracting this disease. Aside from that, Leptospirosis is a well-known disease worldwide as many cases are reported from this disease.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis include:
- High Fever
- Headaches
- Chills
- Muscle Aches
- Vomiting
- Jaundice (yellow skin and eyes)
- Red Eyes
- Abdominal Pain
- Diarrhea
- Rash
In extreme cases where people do not seek treatment, Leptospirosis can lead to more serious diseases such as meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress, and even death.
Key Takeaway
These diseases are a testament to why you should invest in an effective and efficient rodent control team. In order to avoid being infected by these diseases, call a team of experts at the first sign of trouble. Let rodents know that they are unwelcome in your home and with this, you are going to go with effective measures to keep them out.