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| Rodent droppings and urine can carry serious disease |
Plague
Plague still infects and kills people world wide but thankfully not in New Zealand. But there are other serious diseases that can be caught from wild (and pet) rodents in New Zealand.
Leptospirosis – Wiel’s Disease
Leptospirosis, also known as Wiel’s disease, is caused by the bacteria Leptospira. It is carried by rodents, and other wild animals. Infection is through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from an infected animal. Cuts or breaks in the skin will also allow in infection. Infected people experience a range of symptoms from mild or no illness to severe or life-threatening meningitis, liver damage and kidney failure. Infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with water that might be contaminated with animal urine.
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosos is commonly associated with poor hygiene or inadequately cooked food, but can also be acquired from rodents. Salmonella bacteria may be found in the feces of many animals including wild and pet rodents. Infection can be contracted by people who do not wash their hands after contact with rodent droppings or if food, drink or eating utensils are contaminated with rodent droppings.
Rat Bite Fever (RBF)
Rat Bite Fever is caused by Streptobacillus bacteria that is found in the mouth of apparently healthy rats and mice. People are infected through bites or scratches from rodents or may also become ill after eating contaminated food or drink or through close contact with rodents. In cases of bites and scratches, the wound often has healed before symptoms begin (2-10 days after the bite). Antibiotic treatment for this disease is very effective. Illness in those who do not seek medical attention and treatment can be very serious and result in death; therefore it is important to immediately clean and disinfect wounds and promptly seek medical attention after any rodent bite or scratch.
How to Prevent Infections from Rats and Mice
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosos is commonly associated with poor hygiene or inadequately cooked food, but can also be acquired from rodents. Salmonella bacteria may be found in the feces of many animals including wild and pet rodents. Infection can be contracted by people who do not wash their hands after contact with rodent droppings or if food, drink or eating utensils are contaminated with rodent droppings.
Rat Bite Fever (RBF)
Rat Bite Fever is caused by Streptobacillus bacteria that is found in the mouth of apparently healthy rats and mice. People are infected through bites or scratches from rodents or may also become ill after eating contaminated food or drink or through close contact with rodents. In cases of bites and scratches, the wound often has healed before symptoms begin (2-10 days after the bite). Antibiotic treatment for this disease is very effective. Illness in those who do not seek medical attention and treatment can be very serious and result in death; therefore it is important to immediately clean and disinfect wounds and promptly seek medical attention after any rodent bite or scratch.
How to Prevent Infections from Rats and Mice
- Wear gloves when carrying out pest control against rodents or working in areas where there are signs rats or mice a have been active. Wash hands after handling anything that rats or mice may have urinated on. Rodents continually dribble urine where ever they travel.
- In roof voids and other enclosed spaces where rodents have been it is sensible to wear a mask as dust may carry disease organisms.
- Clean up rodent droppings where ever they are found and disinfect surfaces where rodents could have travelled.
- Dispose of any food that have been eaten or may have been contaminated by rodents.
- If biten or scratched by rodents always clean and disinfect wounds and seek medical attention immediately.
Two rats are in a bar. One turns to the other and in a drunken slurr says “I slept with your mother thats right your mother” the other just looked at him and said “Dad go home your drunk.”
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