Which Disease is Caused by Rats?

Rats are known to be carriers of the salmonella bacteria, which can be dangerous for humans. When contaminated foods are consumed, salmonella can cause a variety of symptoms, including fever, chills, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Rats can also contract rat-bite fever, which can cause a severe skin rash and headache.

Rats are also known to carry plague and salmonellosis, which can be transmitted to humans by fleas. The disease is spread through the bite of a rat, and can also be transmitted through its droppings and food. Various rat infections can be deadly, especially when untreated, and plague is the most notorious.

Rats may also carry the rabies virus. This is a disease caused by bacteria found in the urine of infected rodents. Rats that have been exposed to rabies can transmit it to humans, although it is rare. Infected rats typically show no symptoms, but they may shed large amounts of bacteria through their urine. There is no cure for this disease, so infected rats should be euthanized and cages cleaned thoroughly.

When rats invade your home, they can do so through tiny cracks and holes in walls or floors. The holes they make will average two to three inches in diameter and are often inches off the floor. Rats will leave behind a musk-like odor.