Can mice transmit diseases and what are they? - briefly
Mice can transmit pathogens including hantavirus, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, and plague. Transmission occurs via bites, contaminated urine, feces, or ectoparasites.
Can mice transmit diseases and what are they? - in detail
Mice serve as reservoirs for numerous pathogens that can be transferred to humans through direct contact, bites, contaminated food, or exposure to droppings and urine. The most significant zoonotic agents associated with rodents include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi.
Bacterial infections commonly linked to mice:
- Salmonella spp. – causes gastroenteritis after ingestion of contaminated food or water.
- Leptospira interrogans – leads to leptospirosis, a febrile illness with possible kidney and liver involvement, acquired through contact with urine‑tainted surfaces.
- Streptobacillus moniliformis – responsible for rat‑bite fever, presenting with fever, rash, and arthralgia after a bite or scratch.
- Yersinia pestis – the agent of plague; transmission occurs when fleas that have fed on infected rodents bite humans.
Viral diseases transmitted by mice:
- Hantavirus – primarily the Seoul strain in urban settings; inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta can cause hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) – spread through exposure to contaminated secretions; may result in meningitis or encephalitis, particularly hazardous for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals.
- Arenaviruses – several species carried by rodents can cause severe hemorrhagic fevers in humans.
Parasitic agents include:
- Protozoa such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium species, which cause diarrheal disease after ingestion of oocysts from contaminated sources.
- Helminths like Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm) and Trichinella spiralis; infection follows ingestion of infected rodents or their tissues.
Fungal pathogens are less common but may arise from environmental contamination:
- Histoplasma capsulatum – spores thrive in rodent droppings; inhalation can lead to histoplasmosis, a pulmonary infection.
Preventive measures focus on rodent control, sanitation, and protective equipment when handling mice or cleaning infested areas. Personal hygiene, proper food storage, and prompt medical evaluation after exposure reduce the risk of infection.