What can you contract from a dead mouse? - briefly
Dead rodents can transmit zoonotic infections such as hantavirus, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. They may also harbor Yersinia pestis, the bacterium that causes plague.
What can you contract from a dead mouse? - in detail
Exposure to a deceased mouse can transmit several serious pathogens. The risk depends on the route of contact—ingestion, inhalation of dust or aerosolized tissue, or direct skin exposure through cuts or abrasions.
Bacterial agents
- Salmonella spp.: present in intestinal contents; ingestion causes gastroenteritis with fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea.
- Leptospira interrogans: survives in urine; skin contact with contaminated fluids leads to leptospirosis, characterized by high fever, myalgia, conjunctival suffusion, and possible renal failure.
- Yersinia pestis: the causative agent of plague; aerosolized particles from a dead rodent can cause pneumonic plague, presenting with sudden fever, chills, cough, and hemoptysis; rapid antibiotic therapy is essential.
- Streptobacillus moniliformis: responsible for rat‑bite fever; entry through skin lesions results in fever, rash, polyarthritis, and septicemia if untreated.
Viral agents
- Hantavirus: aerosolized rodent excreta may transmit hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, marked by fever, myalgia, and rapid progression to respiratory distress and shock.
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV): contact with infected tissues can cause flu‑like symptoms, meningitis, or encephalitis, especially in immunocompromised individuals.
Parasitic agents
- Toxoplasma gondii: tissue cysts may be present; ingestion leads to toxoplasmosis, which is usually mild but can cause severe disease in pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients.
- Trichinella spiralis: rare in mice but possible; consumption of infected meat produces trichinellosis, with muscle pain, edema, and fever.
Fungal agents
- Dermatophytes (e.g., Trichophyton spp.): skin contact with contaminated fur may cause superficial mycoses, resulting in itching and ring‑shaped lesions.
Prevention and response
- Avoid handling dead rodents without protective gloves and a mask.
- Disinfect surfaces with bleach or alcohol solutions.
- If exposure occurs, seek medical evaluation promptly; early antimicrobial or antiviral treatment reduces morbidity.
- Report suspected plague or hantavirus cases to public health authorities for containment measures.