Can Dead Rats Cause Disease?

One question that might be on your mind is, “Can dead rats cause disease?” The answer is a resounding “yes.” Various diseases are transmitted by contact with dead rats, rat feces, or water that contains rat feces. Symptoms of these diseases include diarrhea, vomiting, headache, and abdominal cramps. In severe cases, you may need hospitalization. You can also contract leptospirosis from rat feces.

Dead rats and mice can harbor a range of viruses and bacteria, including tularemia. The bacteria that cause the disease are usually present in rabbits, rats, and other mammals, although they can also be found in fish and birds. These bacteria can be spread through contact with dead animals and may cause respiratory illnesses such as fever and muscle pain.

The smell of dead rats is quite pungent, especially in enclosed spaces. The stench becomes more intense as the carcass decomposes. It has a smell similar to rotting cabbage. The smell becomes unbearable after a while. However, the stench is usually not a cause of disease.

When rats are dead, their corpses should be removed from the home. The carcasses should be disposed of in a sealed bag. You can also use masking agents to cover up the rat smell.