Is Coronavirus Spread By Rodents?

Rats and mice are known to be dangerous for their ability to directly or indirectly spread some of the worst diseases. From what we currently know, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, is thankfully not one of them. Here at Vermont Pest Control, we understand that new information is being released daily about the nature and spread of this virus. For that reason, we are committed to staying up to date with information from the CDC and WHO. During these uncertain times, we have seen a lot of questions about how exactly this virus is spread, including the role of pests and animals in the transmission. Although rodents have been linked to other coronaviruses and other dangerous diseases, there is no evidence to currently suggest they are transmitting or spreading COVID-19.

The Link Between Rodents and Coronaviruses

Including the virus causing COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), the three most recently discovered human coronaviruses have all created a serious threat to human life and death. All three have originated from a bat, which transmitted the virus first to other animals before eventually to human beings.

As mentioned previously, rodents are indeed capable of carrying a variety of coronaviruses. However, they have yet to be linked to any direct transmissions of this strain causing the current pandemic. According to numerous research studies, the rodents found to carry coronaviruses were kept in poor conditions on farms, markets, and restaurants in Vietnam alongside other animals. These unique circumstances make the risk of rats transmitting coronavirus to humans very, very unlikely.

Should You Worry About Rodents During COVID-19?

The good news is that we know rats aren’t currently directly transmitting SARS-CoV-2. However, there are still a few reasons why rodent prevention is very important—possibly more than ever. 

1. Because of the nature of the lockdowns and restaurant closures, there have been a number of reported cases of rats and mice becoming more bold and rampant in the absence of food sources. This activity in itself increases the risk of infestations and rodent-related problems.
2. Some rats and mice can spread other diseases, including hantavirus, salmonellosis, and plague. They also can indirectly transmit diseases from ticks, mosquitoes, lice, and fleas. Some of these include Colorado tick fever, Lyme disease, and others.

How to Stay Safe from Rodent-Related Disease

Whether we’re in the middle of a worldwide pandemic or not, rodent prevention is always crucial. Rats and mice are not only responsible for spreading bacteria and germs that can cause disease, they also simply are destructive! If you need help protecting your Vermont property from rodents, or if you need help with a current infestation, the rodent exterminators at Vermont Pest Control can help.