10 Horrifying Mouse Diseases You Can Get From Rat and Mouse Droppings

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? When there are many mice present, the risk of property damage and health issues increases significantly. 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. Encountering dead rodents in your home can also pose significant health risks, as they may carry pathogens and attract other pests. 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 many diseases, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections, some of which can be transmitted to humans through direct contact or by inhaling dust contaminated with their droppings. Some of these diseases can infect humans, making proper hygiene and handling essential. In severe cases, exposure to these pathogens can result in serious illness, requiring prompt medical attention. Mice can also transmit diseases to other animals, increasing the risk of outbreaks in multi-pet households or farms.

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. Contaminated water is a common source of infection, as the bacteria can survive in water that has been tainted by rodent urine.

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. Supportive treatment is the main approach for severe cases, as there is no specific antiviral therapy available.

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. Rodent bites are a potential route of transmission for this deadly virus.

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. Hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome is another name for this condition, which can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome when people inhale particles from rodent droppings, urine, or saliva. The initial phase of the disease includes fever, muscle aches, and fatigue, while late symptoms involve trouble breathing, difficulty breathing, and as the disease progresses, the lungs fill with fluid, leading to severe respiratory distress.

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. Infected animals, including an infected mouse, are important sources of infection.

• 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. Blood tests are often used to confirm the diagnosis of salmonellosis.

• 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. Wild rodents are a significant source of this disease, and specific treatment is often unavailable, so supportive care is important.

• 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. Person to person transmission is rare for murine typhus.

• 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. Other animals can also be susceptible to scabies infestations.

Identifying rodent species is crucial for understanding disease risk. The deer mouse is the primary carrier of hantavirus in North America, while the rice rat is a significant vector in the Southeast and South America. The white footed mouse is an important carrier in the Northeast. Each of these rodent species plays a key role in transmitting hantavirus to humans in different regions.

For severe cases of hantavirus infection, patients may require care in an intensive care unit and receive oxygen therapy to manage respiratory failure and support recovery.

When cleaning up after mice, using snap traps is an effective method for controlling mouse populations and reducing the risk of disease transmission.

Transmission of Diseases from Rodent Droppings

Rodent droppings are more than just an unsightly mess—they are a major source of infectious diseases that can pose serious health risks to you and your family. When a rodent infestation takes hold, infected rodents such as deer mice, house mice, and wild mice can leave behind droppings, urine, and nesting materials that harbor dangerous pathogens. Among the most alarming threats is hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a life-threatening illness caused by hantavirus infection. This disease can be contracted through direct contact with rodent droppings, urine, or saliva, as well as by inhaling dust contaminated with these materials.

The ways diseases spread from rodent droppings are varied and often difficult to detect. Transmission can occur through:

• Direct contact with infected rodent droppings, urine, or saliva

• Indirect contact with contaminated materials, such as food, water, or nesting material

• Inhalation of airborne particles from disturbed rodent droppings or urine

• Eating food contaminated with rodent droppings or urine

Even a small number of infected mice or a single infected rodent can introduce pathogens into your home, putting everyone at risk. Early symptoms of hantavirus infection, such as muscle aches, fever, and abdominal pain, can easily be mistaken for flu-like symptoms. However, the disease can progress rapidly, leading to pulmonary syndrome, respiratory failure, and even death if not treated promptly. Pregnant females are especially vulnerable, as contracting hantavirus infection can result in birth defects or other serious illnesses.

To prevent rodent infestations and reduce the risk of contracting diseases spread by rodent droppings, the national pest management association recommends a proactive approach:

• Seal entry points around your home to keep rodents out

• Remove food sources like pet food and bird seed, and store them in rodent-proof containers

• Clean up rodent droppings, urine, and nesting materials safely, using gloves and masks to avoid direct contact or inhalation of contaminated dust

• Wash hands thoroughly after handling any potentially contaminated materials

• Inspect your home regularly for signs of rodent activity, such as gnaw marks or droppings

If you notice any early symptoms of hantavirus or other diseases—especially after a rodent infestation—seek medical attention immediately. Diseases like renal syndrome, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, and hemorrhagic fever can also be transmitted through rodent droppings and may become life-threatening if left untreated.

Taking these precautions can help protect your household from the serious health risks associated with rodent infestations. If you suspect a problem or need guidance on disease control, contact your local health department or a pest control professional for expert assistance.

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.

Contact us today for a free estimate and let us help you reclaim your space.