10 Horrifying Diseases You Can Get From Mouse and Rat Droppings

22-Aug-2024

Nobody wants to deal with mice, especially when they’ve invaded your home or property. These small pests might seem harmless at first, but they reproduce at an alarming rate. Did you know that just one pair of mice can multiply into over 5,000 within a year? By the time you notice their presence, the problem has likely escalated beyond what you can see.

Mice are more than just an annoyance; they are destructive, invasive, and unsanitary. They can chew through wires, damage insulation, and leave droppings everywhere they go. Beyond the mess and the smell, mice carry serious health risks. They are known to spread a variety of diseases, some of which can be transmitted to humans through direct contact or by inhaling dust contaminated with their droppings.

The Health Risks of Mice Infestations

Mice are carriers of several dangerous diseases, including both bacterial and viral infections. Here are some of the most concerning illnesses associated with mouse infestations:

Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can enter the human body through cuts, abrasions, or the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and eyes. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle pain, chills, vomiting, and red eyes. Without proper treatment, which includes antibiotics, leptospirosis can lead to severe health complications.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV): This virus is often carried by rodents and can cause flu-like symptoms such as headache and neck stiffness. While the initial symptoms may seem mild, LCMV can lead to more serious conditions, particularly in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Rabies: Although commonly associated with wild animals like raccoons and bats, mice can also carry rabies. Rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, making it a critical health concern for anyone exposed.

Hantavirus: Another serious viral infection, hantavirus can cause severe respiratory problems that may be fatal. Symptoms often mimic those of pneumonia or the flu, making it difficult to diagnose without proper medical attention.

Other diseases mice can carry include:

Plague- This disease killed millions of people in the middle ages and is still around today. It is spread in a number of ways, including being bitten by the fleas that live on the infected mice, droplets, and handling an infected animal.
Rat-bite fever- Typically transmitted through rodent urine, this disease can be fatal if not treated right away. Symptoms include fever, chills, myalgia, headache, vomiting, maculopapular rash on the extremities, polyarthritis, ulceration at the bite site, and swollen lymph nodes.
Salmonellosis- Bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain that is commonly transmitted by eating food that is contaminated with rodent feces.
Rabbit Fever- Transmission occurs via insect bite, handling a diseased rodent or through the air. Symptoms vary based on the transmission method, but can include skin ulcers, swollen and painful lymph glands, inflamed eyes, sore throat, mouth sores, diarrhea or pneumonia.
Murine typhus- Infection can occur by inhaling dust from rodent feces, as well as being bitten by an infected rat flea. Symptoms include muscle pain, loss of appetite, brain fog, nausea, cough, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
Scabies- Though extremely rare, an Atlanta community recently experienced an outbreak of scabies, which is thought to have originated from an infected rodent. Scabies are highly contagious mites that burrow under your skin to lay their eggs.

The Importance of Professional Cleanup

When you discover a mouse infestation, your first instinct might be to clean up the mess yourself. However, doing so without the proper precautions can expose you to these dangerous diseases. Many viruses can remain infectious in mouse droppings for days, and bacteria such as Salmonella can survive for weeks. Simply sweeping up droppings or vacuuming contaminated areas can make these pathogens airborne, putting you and your family at risk.

That’s why professional cleanup is so important. Trained technicians have the experience, equipment, and cleaning agents necessary to safely remediate your property. They can ensure that all traces of the infestation are thoroughly removed, reducing the risk of disease transmission and restoring your home to a safe and healthy condition.

Don’t Take Chances with Your Health

If you’ve had a recent rodent infestation, don’t take chances by trying to handle the cleanup yourself. At T.A.C.T. North Atlanta, we specialize in post-extermination cleanup, ensuring that your property is completely safe before you return to normal life. Saving a few dollars by doing it yourself simply isn’t worth the potential health risks.

Our professional team is committed to getting the job done quickly and thoroughly, allowing you to breathe easy knowing your home is clean and safe.