Can Rats Attack You?
WouterWhile rats are not typically aggressive animals, they can become hostile if they feel threatened or trapped. Most of the time, rat bites are accidental. Rats are most likely to bite people with traces of food. People with low mobility and babies are also susceptible. Moreover, rat bites can be dangerous to businesses.
The bites of wild rats are hard to quantify, and only a small proportion of animal bites are reported to health authorities. Studies have shown that only about 10% of animal bites are reported, and less than 40% of bites are reported to authorities. Even dog bites are under-reported, according to Beck 1981. A study of children aged four to 18 found that the incidence of dog bites was 36 times higher than reported.
While there is no definite way to prevent rat attacks, they can lead to a variety of medical problems. Some infections can be life-threatening, so it’s best to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Quick treatment will prevent infection and rat-bite fever. Antibiotics are used to treat these illnesses. Joint pain caused by rat bites will go away eventually.
Rats do a lot of damage to houses and other structures. They spread diseases and can be dangerous for everyone in the home. They can chew electrical wires and gas pipes, which increases the risk of fire. Experts estimate that rat-damaged property accounts for about twenty to twenty percent of undetermined house fires in the U.S. Each year.
