Can Rats Cause Disease?

While rats can be an unwelcome sight, they aren’t the main cause of disease. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent rat-borne disease in the first place. For example, keep wood piles and dense vegetation out of the vicinity of the house, seal gaps around windows, and eliminate water and food sources in the yard.

One of the most common diseases caused by rats is leptospirosis, which is spread by contact with the urine of infected animals. This infection can cause liver and kidney damage. In severe cases, leptospirosis can even cause death. Its symptoms include fever, chills, abdominal pain, and liver damage.

In addition to spreading many diseases, rats can also transmit the rat parasite Hymenolepis nana. This parasite can accidentally infect humans by laying eggs in their feces. The parasite then attaches itself to the intestinal wall, absorbing nutrients from the cells lining the intestine. This parasite can cause serious medical problems, particularly in children.

In addition to this, rats can also carry Salmonella, which can cause an infection when you eat contaminated food. This can cause stomach aches, vomiting, and a rash. In most cases, salmonellosis will go away within a week, but severe cases may require hospitalization.