How Can Rats Transmit Diseases to Humans?
WouterRats may be able to transmit a variety of diseases to humans. Luckily, some of these diseases are treatable and not dangerous at all. For example, rat-borne typhoid fever affects almost 30 million people every year. The good news is that antibiotics are available and can be used to treat the illness. Unfortunately, children can be particularly susceptible to the infection, so prevention is crucial to prevent an infestation.
The main risk of exposure to these diseases is through an infestation of mice or rats in your home. This risk is relatively low, but the main way that you can get infected is to eat or touch the animals in your home. In addition, if you’ve been exposed to rats before, you’ll want to decontaminate your home completely.
In addition to a range of diseases, rats can also transmit the parasitic Hymenolepis nana. This parasite lives in the small intestine of humans and can be accidentally transmitted by handling or eating the rat. Once in the intestine, it will attach itself to the intestinal wall and absorb nutrients. This can lead to abdominal pain, restlessness, and itching. In severe cases, the disease can even lead to meningitis.
The most common diseases that rats transmit to humans are salmonellosis and leptospirosis. Although plague is not common in the United States, it is more likely to occur in areas with high rat populations. As a result, people who have weakened immune systems should take extra precautions.
