What Diseases Do Rats Carry?
WouterIf you’re thinking about buying a rat, there are many things to consider before deciding whether to get one. While many rats are harmless, others can carry deadly diseases. Some diseases are easily transmitted to humans through contact with their excretions, which is why it’s important to keep these rodents in their cages.
One of the most dangerous diseases rats can carry is leishmaniasis, which is transmitted to humans by a parasitic worm called phlebotomine sandfly. Leishmaniasis is the second most common parasitic killer in the world and can be fatal if untreated. Symptoms of this disease include diarrhea, loss of appetite, itchiness and lethargy, and can even lead to death.
Rats can also carry Salmonella bacteria, which can cause illness in humans and pets. Infection with Salmonella happens through the consumption of contaminated food, especially from farm animals. There are over two hundred different serovars and six subspecies of Salmonella. Salmonella is the main cause of salmonellosis in humans and most mammals. It is found in soil and infected animals, but it can also infect humans by contact with contaminated water.
Rats can carry numerous zoonotic diseases. These diseases are caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can infect humans and animals. In fact, rats are responsible for more human deaths than any other mammal. They are capable of transmitting a number of diseases, including cholera and the bubonic plague, which killed over twenty-five million people during the Middle Ages. Additionally, rats are host to a large number of parasites, including ticks and fleas.
