What diseases can be contracted from mice? - briefly
Mice transmit several zoonotic infections, such as hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, leptospirosis, salmonellosis, murine typhus, lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, and Yersinia pestis (plague). They also harbor parasites including roundworms, cestodes, and ectoparasites like mites and fleas.
What diseases can be contracted from mice? - in detail
Mice serve as reservoirs for a broad spectrum of pathogens that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact, bites, scratches, inhalation of contaminated aerosols, or ingestion of contaminated food and water.
Bacterial agents commonly associated with murine exposure include:
- Salmonella spp., causing gastroenteritis after ingestion of contaminated rodent droppings or food.
- Leptospira interrogans, responsible for leptospirosis, acquired through contact with urine‑contaminated water or soil.
- Streptobacillus moniliformis, the causative organism of rat‑bite fever, transmitted by bite wounds or handling of infected rodents.
- Listeria monocytogenes, leading to listeriosis, can be spread via contaminated surfaces or food items.
- Yersinia pestis, the agent of plague, historically linked to rodent fleas but still a risk in endemic regions.
Viral infections transmitted by mice encompass:
- Hantavirus, especially the Sin Nombre virus, which produces hantavirus pulmonary syndrome after inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta.
- Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), spread through contaminated droppings, urine, or saliva, causing febrile illness and, in severe cases, meningitis.
- Cowpox virus, occasionally transmitted through direct contact with infected rodents, resulting in localized skin lesions.
Parasitic diseases linked to murine hosts include:
- Hymenolepis nana (dwarf tapeworm), acquired by ingesting eggs from contaminated food or surfaces.
- Toxoplasma gondii, whose oocysts may be present in rodent feces, posing a risk of toxoplasmosis upon ingestion.
- Bartonella spp., transmitted by ectoparasites such as fleas, leading to cat‑scratch disease‑like symptoms.
Fungal pathogens are less common but have been reported:
- Dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton spp., can cause superficial skin infections after contact with infected fur or bedding.
Prevention relies on integrated rodent control, strict sanitation, use of protective gloves when handling rodents or cleaning habitats, and avoidance of aerosolizing dust from droppings. Personal protective equipment and proper wound care reduce the likelihood of bite‑related infections. Vaccination is available only for select diseases such as plague; otherwise, early recognition and antimicrobial therapy remain critical for managing infections acquired from mice.