The short answer is yes. Rats can spread a number of diseases, but the risk to humans is generally low.
In addition to being carriers of disease, rats themselves can become ill from exposure to some of these pathogens as well. For example, rats can get leptospirosis from drinking water contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected animals.
Rats carry a variety of diseases, including parasites and viruses. The most common diseases are leptospirosis and hantavirus.
In short, Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through contact with rat urine or faeces. It causes flu-like symptoms and can be fatal if not treated promptly. Hantavirus is a virus that causes fever, headache, muscle aches and shortness of breath. It can also lead to kidney failure and death if not treated quickly.
Rats also carry fleas and mites, which can transmit diseases such as typhus, bubonic plague and murine typhus fever. The fleas on rats will bite humans as well as other animals, so anyone who lives in an area with rats should take precautions against bites from these pests. Here is a list of known diseases that are caused by rats:
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a virus that causes a type of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF). It is carried by rodents, but humans can catch the disease when they breathe in or ingest dust from rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. Hantavirus usually causes flu-like symptoms that get worse over time. It can lead to severe illness and death.
The virus belongs to the family of Bunyaviridae, genus Hantavirus. It is spread by the excretion of urine, saliva and faeces from infected rodents into their environment. Humans are infected through inhalation of aerosolized particles from these rodent droppings or urine or from handling contaminated materials such as bedding or clothing.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can affect both humans and animals. It is caused by the spirochetal bacterium Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona, which can be found in water, soil, or on vegetation.
Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans through contact with water or soil contaminated with infected animal urine. This occurs most commonly through recreational activities such as swimming and kayaking in lakes and rivers during periods of high water temperatures and low water levels.
The most common symptoms of leptospirosis are fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. The incubation period for leptospirosis is approximately 3-14 days (average 7 days). Most people who become ill after exposure to leptospirosis recover without treatment within 2-4 weeks; however, a small number of patients develop severe disease that may require hospitalisation for several months.
Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus (LASV). LASV is a member of the Arenaviridae family. The virus is transmitted to humans through contact with urine or saliva of infected rodents, primarily rats; however, other rodents such as guinea pigs, hamsters and mice can also carry and transmit the disease.
The incubation period for Lassa fever ranges from 3-21 days but usually lasts about 5-10 days. Patients typically experience fever, headache, muscle aches and sore throat. They may also have nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Severe fever, bleeding and shock may occur in severe cases.
Lassa fever is endemic in West Africa — especially Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea — where it causes approximately 100,000 infections yearly with up to 5% mortality rate. It has been reported in Nigeria as well; however, there are no statistics available regarding how many people have been affected there.
Hemorrhagic Fever
Hemorrhagic fever is a viral disease caused by any of the agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS). Hemorrhagic fevers are characterised by an acute onset and a high mortality rate.
In humans, HFRS is usually transmitted through contact with rodents, their excreta and saliva, although cases have also been caused by tick bites. The incubation period is typically 3–8 days but can range from 1 to 12 days. The most common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, chills and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. Other symptoms include rash, conjunctival injection and joint pain.
In most cases there is no treatment for HFRS. However, ribavirin has shown efficacy in some cases of milder illness where it has been given early in the course of illness prior to the development of severe complications or multiple organ failure.
Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever
Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever is a disease that was first discovered in rats in the Lujo area of Mexico City. The virus has been found in several species of rodents in the area and has also spread to humans.
The virus can be transmitted from one person to another or through rats. The disease is usually milder when it affects people than when it affects rats, but it is still potentially fatal.
Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever can cause fever, headaches, muscle aches, coughing, sore throat and diarrhoea. It can also cause bleeding from your nose or gums and bleeding under your skin (called purpura). If you have these symptoms, see your healthcare provider immediately.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
Rats are the natural host for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Rats are the most common reservoir of LCMV. The virus is transmitted to humans when they are bitten by an infected rat, or when they come into contact with its urine or saliva.
The symptoms of lymphocytic choriomeningitis are flu-like, and include headache, fever, muscle aches and pains, backaches and gastrointestinal disturbances. People usually recover fully from this disease, but in rare cases it can lead to severe complications such as encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord).
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis is caused by a virus known as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). LCMV belongs to a group called arenaviruses which cause hemorrhagic fevers in humans, livestock and rodents. These viruses are closely related to Lassa fever virus found in Africa and Junin virus found in South America. The first case of human infection with LCMV was reported in 1959 when a laboratory worker developed symptoms after handling infected mice.
Monkeypox
Monkeypox spreads from animals (usually rodents) to humans. The virus can be found in the blood of infected animals or people. It can also be found on contaminated items such as clothing, bedding and needles used for injecting drugs.
Monkeypox is similar to smallpox in many ways, but it’s not a major threat to humans — only about 10% of patients who contract monkeypox will develop severe symptoms like bleeding blisters and shock.
The incubation period for monkeypox is usually between 4 and 21 days (but can be as short as 2 days). You’re most likely to become ill if you’re exposed within 1 week after contact with an infected animal or person.
Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever
Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever (OHF), formerly known as Asian hemorrhagic fever (AHF), is an acute viral disease that occurs in a wide range of rodents. It is caused by a virus in the Bunyaviridae family, genus Hantavirus.
A person infected with the virus may become sick within 2-3 weeks after exposure. The illness begins with fever and headache that can last several days. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle pain or tenderness and rash on the trunk or limbs lasting 1-3 days. Some people develop internal bleeding (hemorrhage) into their lungs, which can cause difficulty breathing or even death if not treated properly. Most people recover without treatment if they seek medical attention within 10 days of becoming ill.
Conclusion
So yes, rats can spread disease. They can carry a number of diseases that can be transmitted to humans, which are mentioned above.
These diseases can be spread to humans through direct contact with rats, their faeces, or their urine. They can also be spread through indirect contact, such as through flea bites or by eating food that has been contaminated with rat droppings.
Symptoms of these diseases can vary depending on the specific disease. However, some common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. In some cases, these diseases can be fatal.
It is important to take precautions to prevent the spread of disease from rats. This includes:
- Keeping rats out of your home and business.
- Sealing up any holes or cracks that rats could use to enter your home or business.
- Setting traps to catch rats.
- Poisoning rats (under the supervision of a professional pest control company like Eliminbate Solutions).
- Wash your hands thoroughly after handling rats, their faeces, or their urine.
- Avoid eating food that has been contaminated with rat droppings.
If you think you may have been exposed to a disease from a rat, it is important to see a doctor right away. Early detection and treatment of these diseases can help to improve your prognosis.
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