What is the disease transmitted by mice? - briefly
Mice are reservoirs for hantavirus, which can cause severe hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in humans, and they also harbor Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague transmitted through flea bites.
What is the disease transmitted by mice? - in detail
Mice serve as reservoirs for several zoonotic pathogens, the most clinically significant being hantavirus, Yersinia pestis, and various bacterial agents such as Salmonella and Leptospira.
Hantavirus infection, often called hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) in the Americas and hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in Eurasia, originates from inhalation of aerosolized rodent excreta. The virus targets endothelial cells, causing capillary leakage. Initial symptoms include fever, myalgia, and gastrointestinal upset; progression leads to respiratory distress in HPS or acute renal failure in HFRS. Diagnosis relies on serologic testing for IgM/IgG antibodies and polymerase‑chain‑reaction (PCR) assays. No specific antiviral therapy exists; supportive care, particularly mechanical ventilation for severe pulmonary edema, improves survival. Preventive measures emphasize rodent control, sealing of entry points, and avoidance of dust from infested areas.
Plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, can be transmitted by the bite of infected fleas that have fed on rodents, including mice, or through direct contact with contaminated animal tissues. Clinical forms include bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. Bubonic plague presents with painful swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, and chills. Septicemic plague leads to hemorrhagic skin lesions and shock, while pneumonic plague causes severe pneumonia and rapid respiratory failure. Diagnosis employs culture of blood or sputum, rapid antigen detection, and PCR. Effective treatment consists of prompt administration of streptomycin, gentamicin, or doxycycline. Control strategies focus on flea eradication, surveillance of rodent populations, and public education.
Other bacterial infections linked to mice include:
- Salmonella enterica – transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water; symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever; treated with supportive care, antibiotics for severe cases.
- Leptospira interrogans – acquired via contact with urine‑contaminated water; presents with fever, headache, myalgia, and possible renal or hepatic involvement; doxycycline or penicillin are first‑line therapies.
Laboratory confirmation for these agents involves stool culture (Salmonella), serology or PCR (Leptospira), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Overall risk reduction relies on integrated pest management, proper sanitation, protective equipment for workers handling rodents, and public awareness of transmission pathways. Early recognition of clinical signs and timely medical intervention are essential to mitigate morbidity and mortality associated with mouse‑borne diseases.