Zoonotic diseases is one that can transfer from animals to humans, potentially causing a lot of harm. As the weather gets colder, rodents are looking for a warm place to call home, and your home may end up being their place of choice. It is best not to physically handle rodents because they may carry one or more of these zoonotic diseases. Here are three zoonotic diseases that rodents carry.
Rat Bite Fever
This zoonotic disease can be transferred from both rats and mice. It is spread to humans through a bite or scratch from an infected animal, drinking water infected by rat feces, or contact with a dead rodent.
Symptoms include a rash that appears on hands and feet, muscle pain, vomiting, fever, and headache. Symptoms generally begin 3-10 days after coming in contact with the infected rodent and can be fatal if not treated.
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome
This virus is carried by certain species of rats and mice. It is spread through direct contact with the rodent or even just through breathing in dust that is contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.
Early symptoms include fatigue, fever, and muscle ache specifically in larger areas such as the thighs, back, shoulders, and hips. Later symptoms include severe shortness of breath. This is a serious respiratory disease and can be fatal if not treated.
Tularemia
Wild rodents including ground squirrels, muskrats, and beavers can carry this bacterial disease. It is spread from handling an infected animal’s carcass, drinking contaminated water, being bitten by an infected tick, breathing in the bacteria, or even lab exposure. Tularemia can potentially be fatal, but it’s a lot less likely because it can easily be treated with antibiotics.
Do You Have an Rodent Problem? Contact Shumaker Animal Control Today!
If you think you have a rodent problem on your property, call the experts at Shumaker Animal Control to deal with the problem for you. Our experienced team will take care of the problem in a timely manner, ensuring that you, your home and pets are not in any danger.
At Shumaker Animal Control, we are a family-owned business who cares about the safety of you and your family but also about the well-being of the animals themselves.
All of our trapping and control methods are humane, as we never try to hurt the angry or scared animal.
Call us at 443-854-8072 or view the online website at http://www.shumakeranimalremoval.com/ for more information.
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