Nashville Rat Removal Tip: What diseases do rats carry?

Rats carry many diseases but not all rats are infected with the diseases. Here are a few diseases carried by rats that can be transmitted to humans:

1. Rabies
This is a zoonotic viral disease and while it may be uncommon in rats, they should not be completely ruled out as carriers. Rabies are usually transmitted through saliva and rats usually have a dry bite, that is, without the presence of saliva. Even so, they can transmit the disease.

2. Tularemia
This disease is caused by the Francisella tularenis bacterium that is spread from infected rodent to human via a tick bite. Scary isn't it? Ticks bite rats, contract the disease and bite human, thus giving them the disease. It can be life-threatening if not treated in time with antibiotics. The most common symptom is fever.

3. Hantavirus
There is no known cure for hantavirus and is more common in the rice rat, the white-footed mouse and the cotton rat. Common symptoms of this virus include muscle aches especially in the hips, back and thigh region, fever, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

4. Salmonella
A very common bacterium carried by rats in their digestive tract and spreading it through their urine and feces. Humans can become infected if they consume contaminated food. Symptoms are similar to having gastroenteritis and include nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, fever and chills.

5. Rat-Bite Fever
As the name implies, it is spread to humans from an infected rat, through its bite. It can also be spread by coming into direct contact with an infected rat or through ingesting food that is contaminated with bodily excretions or fluids of an infected rat. More common symptoms include muscle pain, skin rash, fever, headaches and vomiting.

6. Plague
The plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacterium and can come in several forms including, Pneumonic, Bubonic and Septicemic, all relating to the different parts of the body that is infected. Fleas usually transmit this disease from the infected rodent to the humans. Symptoms are specific to the type of plague and can result in death if not treated promptly.

7. LCMV also known as Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus
This is a common disease, spread by rodents living in homes. The first stage of this virus includes loss of appetite, muscle pain, headaches, nausea and vomiting. As the disease progresses to the second stage, encephalitis, meningitis or meningoencephalitis can occur.

Rats live in very large groups and there is no way of knowing which rat is infected with which disease unless you are holding them in captivity and testing them for these diseases. You even have to be cautious of tick bites while jogging in the park as rats frequent these areas to scavenge for food. Any noticeable sign of illness should be treated by a professional who can run specific tests to determine the cause of the illness before it can worsen. Many diseases spread by rats are deadly to humans and symptoms are sometimes mistaken for other illnesses. It is important that you inform your practitioner of every detail you can think about to quickly rule out other causes.