Do All Rats Have Rabies?
WouterRabies is a disease that can be transmitted between mammal species, including rats. However, in the United States, rabies is not a widespread problem. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that small rodents, such as rats and mice, almost never carry rabies. However, in a 2014 case study, a caretaker of a laboratory mouse developed an allergic reaction within 10 minutes. He experienced rash on his arms, swollen lips and dizziness. He was hospitalized for eight hours and his symptoms subsided.
The first step in avoiding rabies is to learn the signs and symptoms of rat bites. Rats can transmit many types of illnesses, including hantavirus, leptospirosis bacteria, and parasites. It’s always a good idea to seek medical care for any rat bite.
In this study, the CDC used data from CDC rabies surveillance to examine the presence and risk of rabies in rats. Data was analyzed using direct fluorescent antibody tests, which detect the rabies virus in tissues. The study only considered rodents and lagomorphs, and only included data from states and counties.
Rat bites may look like any other rat, which makes the disease difficult to diagnose. Infected rats usually die after a few days of high bacteremia, but the fleas don’t die and are spread to other rodents and eventually to humans. Therefore, humans can become infected with plague by handling infected rats and handling their recently deceased bodies. The disease is a serious risk to humans and can be treated by antibiotics.
