Rats are not as harmless as they seem.
It is true that we rarely see people getting sick as a result of having rats in their home, but that doesn’t mean there are no cases at all.
As a matter of fact, the Centre for Disease Control says that more than ten million people have fallen ill, with a good number of them dying, from rodent-borne diseases in the past century alone.
And if this is true as it is believed to be, then the importance of highlighting the dangers of rats and mice within and around the house cannot be overemphasized.
Explicitly, Rat bites and scratches can result in disease and rat-bite fever. Additionally, the spread of leptospirosis, which can result in liver and kidney damage is caused by rat urine.
The disease can also be contracted through handling or inhalation of scat. And complications include cardiovascular problems as well as renal and liver failure.
In addition to the dangers of having rats around, is Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV). LCMV a viral infectious disease that can be transmitted through the saliva and urine of rats.
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Rats
(UK Business insider)
Though not as serious as the name might imply, but enough to say that some individuals experience long-term effects of the disease, while others experience only temporary discomfort.
However, apart from the above diseases, there are also other health illnesses that can be easily associated with rats and other rodents.
Read on to see other diseases that can be directly transmitted by rats
1. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)
HPS is a viral disease that is transmitted by the rice rat.
Surprisingly, the disease can be spread through any of these three ways: inhaling dust that is contaminated with rat urine or droppings, direct contact with rat feces or urine, and through the bite of rat.
2. Leptospirosis
This disease, which comes with a lot of bacteria, can be transmitted by coming into contact with infected water.
In other words, by swimming, walking or drinking a rat contaminated water.
3. Rat-bite fever
This disease may be transmitted through a bite, scratch or contact with a dead rat.
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Wood rat
(Super stock)
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Rat
(Probians)
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