Infectious Diseases & Viruses | CDC: “rodents pose health risk”

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Infectious Diseases & Viruses | Rodents: Rats, Mice

Do mice/rats carry infectious diseases & viruses?

The CDC says they pose a health risk to you and your family. According to the Center for Disease Control, rats and mice can spread over 35 diseases. Infectious diseases & viruses rodents carry include hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella among others. These pests pose serious health risks for you and your family if left unchecked. With Fall and Winter approaching, be on the lookout for rodents in your home.

Are mice/rats dangerous?

Besides structural damage to your home, the infectious diseases & viruses carried by rodents can be lethal.

“These diseases can be spread to humans directly, through handling of rodents, through contact with rodent feces, urine, or saliva, or through rodent bites. Diseases carried by rodents can also be spread to humans indirectly, through ticks, mites or fleas that have fed on an infected rodent.” – CDC

Symptomology: Infectious Diseases & Viruses from Rodents

What kind of diseases do rats and mice carry?

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms following exposure to rodents, be sure to contact a health professional.

• Hantavirus is a “potentially life-threatening disease that currently has no specific treatment, cure or vaccine.” – Earth Guard Pest. Symptoms include: fever, fatigue, muscle aches (generally in hips, backs and thighs) and may include, diarrhea abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.

• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus or LCMV can be contracted from common house mice. The first stage includes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle aches and lack of appetite. The second stage is primarily more neurological in nature including the occurrence of: meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis. – Earth Guard Pest

• Plague – Yes, the same disease that killed millions during the Middle Ages. This bacterial disease lives on today in infected fleas and rodents, and can infect humans and wreak havoc on the immune system, the blood system and the lungs.

How do I know if I’ve been bitten by a rat?

What do I do if I’ve been bitten by a mouse?

Seasonality: When are mice and rodents most common?

When do rodents come out?

Rodents are generally nocturnal and are awake from dusk til dawn. In homes and businesses, rodents generally “become active within about 30-60 minutes following the subsiding of evening human activity.” – Massey Services Inc

What season are rats/mice most active?

These critters seek warm places to nest starting in the Fall, with leases in full swing by the Winter. – Victor Pest

In Massachusetts, many homes are actually experiencing an “uptick” in rodents. In fact, “Boston ranks among the top cities in the nation for rat and mice infestation. In fact, Boston is ranked as the second most rat and mouse infested city in the United States.” – Pest-End

More rats and mice in Massachusetts have been attributed to growing suburban populations, milder winters, the impact of quarantine & the Coronavirus.

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Infectious diseases & viruses in rats and mice won’t hesitate, why should you?

Contact A1 Exterminators today to help prevent the spread of disease in your home.

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