Rats and mice in your home or business can pose serious health hazards because of the diseases and bacteria they harbor. They may trigger allergies and worsen asthma symptoms, which makes it crucial to tackle infestations without delay. Indirect exposure through contact with droppings or urine can contaminate both surfaces and air, potentially causing respiratory issues. Eating tainted food or being in infested environments can also lead to illness. In Vermont, these rodents are well-known for transmitting harmful diseases.
Which Rodents Carry Diseases?
Both humans and pets are at risk of diseases spread by rodents, with rats and mice being particularly hazardous due to their frequent invasions of homes. They transmit illnesses via bites, scratches, and contamination from their urine and feces. Moreover, the presence of ticks, fleas, and mites on these rodents can elevate the risk of disease spread. Here are some common rodent species found in Vermont that you should watch for:
- Norway Rat: Norway rats are recognized as carriers of diseases such as leptospirosis and tularemia, which can spread through exposure to their urine and droppings. They also pose health hazards by transmitting rat-bite fever via bites and scratches.
- House Mouse: The house mouse can spread several diseases, including salmonellosis, through contamination of food and surfaces with its urine and droppings. This rodent is also a potential vector for hantavirus, which can be transmitted to humans through contact with its waste or by inhaling dust from its nesting materials.
- Deer Mouse: The deer mouse is known for carrying Hantavirus, a serious illness that can be transmitted to humans through contact with its urine, droppings, or saliva. Additionally, this rodent can spread other diseases, such as leptospirosis, making it a significant health risk in areas where it is present.
- Roof Rat: Roof rats are known carriers of various diseases that can pose serious health risks to humans. They can transmit illnesses such as leptospirosis and salmonellosis through their droppings, urine, and bites, contaminating surfaces and food sources in the process.
- White-footed Mouse: The white-footed mouse is known to carry various diseases that can affect humans and pets, including Hantavirus and Lyme disease. Their droppings and urine can contaminate surfaces, posing health risks to those who come into contact with them.
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Rodent-Borne Illnesses to Watch Out For
While not all rodent-borne diseases are life-threatening, they can lead to significant health issues if not promptly managed. In Vermont, some of the more serious illnesses transmitted by these rodents include:
- Leptospirosis: Rodents are common carriers of this disease, which is caused by bacteria in water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
- Salmonellosis: Typically contracted from eating contaminated food, this disease can also spread through contact with rodent droppings.
- Murine Typhus: This illness is spread through fleas that have bitten infected rodents, especially rats.
- Tularemia: Commonly known as rabbit fever, this disease can spread through contact with infected rodents, including the meadow vole.
- Rat-bite Fever: This disease is frequently transmitted through bites or scratches from infected rodents or through handling dead rodents and contaminated traps without proper safety precautions.
- Hantavirus: Often spread by deer mice, this serious respiratory illness begins with symptoms such as fever and chills and necessitates prompt medical intervention.
- Toxoplasmosis: Although commonly linked to cat feces, this infection can also be transmitted by rodents that carry the parasite, potentially causing flu-like symptoms in otherwise healthy adults.
Symptoms of Rodent-Borne Illness
Should you suspect that you’ve contracted a rodent-related disease, it’s vital to seek medical care, especially if there’s an infestation nearby or you’ve recently interacted with a live or dead rodent. Early symptoms of rodent-borne illnesses often include:
- Cough or Respiratory Issues: Especially for diseases like hantavirus.
- Fever: One of the earliest symptoms is a noticeable rise in body temperature.
- Chills: Shivering or feeling cold despite a normal or high temperature.
- Muscle Aches: General muscle pain or discomfort.
- Fatigue: Unusual tiredness or weakness.
- Headache: Persistent or severe headaches.
- Nausea or Vomiting: Feeling queasy or vomiting.
- Rash: Some diseases may cause skin rashes or lesions.
If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible for a complete evaluation and necessary treatment.
Take Care of Rodent Infestations ASAP with Vermont Pest Control
Finding rodents on your property necessitates swift action to safeguard your health and home. Our team promptly eliminates these pests and performs a comprehensive inspection to locate and seal potential entry points. We specialize in rapid rat and mouse removal, ensuring your family’s safety and maintaining your property’s integrity.
Contact Vermont Pest Control today, and let our skilled team help protect your property!Back to Rodent Identification
What Diseases Do Rats Carry in Vermont in Vermont?
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