What can mice transmit? - briefly
Mice can convey a range of pathogens, including hantavirus, leptospira, salmonella, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, and Yersinia pestis, as well as parasites and allergenic proteins. They also act as reservoirs for viruses such as Lassa and for bacterial agents that cause plague.
What can mice transmit? - in detail
Mice serve as reservoirs for a broad spectrum of infectious agents that can reach humans and domestic animals through several pathways. Direct contact with the animal, inhalation of aerosolized particles, ingestion of contaminated food or water, and bites from ectoparasites all facilitate transmission.
Viruses commonly associated with murine carriers include hantavirus, responsible for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome; lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which may cause meningitis and encephalitis; and arenaviruses such as Lassa fever virus, transmitted when contaminated rodent excreta become airborne. Additional viral agents encompass mousepox (ectromelia virus) and various murine retroviruses that can infect laboratory personnel.
Bacterial pathogens transmitted by these rodents comprise:
- Salmonella spp., causing gastroenteritis after ingestion of contaminated food;
- Leptospira interrogans, leading to leptospirosis through contact with urine‑laden water;
- Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, spread by flea bites after the insect feeds on an infected mouse;
- Borrelia burgdorferi, the Lyme disease spirochete, carried by ticks that feed on rodents;
- Streptobacillus moniliformis, responsible for rat‑bite fever, transmitted via bites or scratches;
- Bartonella spp., causing cat‑scratch disease and other febrile illnesses, transmitted by fleas and lice.
Parasitic agents include:
- Protozoa such as Toxoplasma gondii, which may be shed in mouse feces and ingested inadvertently;
- Helminths like Hymenolepis nana, whose eggs appear in rodent feces and contaminate food;
- Ectoparasites (fleas, mites, ticks) that acquire pathogens from mice and subsequently bite humans or pets.
Allergenic proteins present in mouse urine, dander, and saliva provoke respiratory reactions in sensitive individuals, creating occupational hazards in laboratory and research settings.
Control measures focus on rodent exclusion, sanitation to eliminate food and water sources, proper storage of feed, and use of traps or approved rodenticides. Personal protective equipment, including gloves and masks, reduces exposure during handling or cleaning activities. Regular monitoring for ectoparasite infestations and prompt treatment of identified infections are essential components of an integrated management strategy.