Do Mice Carry Disease?

Mice are small harmless creatures which can easily sneak into our homes unnoticed. They are very fast breeders can quickly take over our living spaces. However despite their cute appearance mice pose a great health risk to humans as they are capable of carrying various diseases.

What Diseases Can Mice Carry?

Mice are known to carry a variety of diseases that can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with their urine feces or saliva. Some of the common diseases that mice have been found to carry include:

• Hantavirus
• Salmonella
• Leptospirosis
• Lassa fever
• Plague
• Tick-borne diseases

How Do These Diseases Affect Humans?

Hantavirus is a potentially deadly disease that is primarily transmitted through contact with infected mouse urine or feces. Symptoms can include fatigue fever muscle aches which can progress to severe respiratory distress organ failure.

Salmonella a bacteria found in mice feces causes food poisoning in humans. Symptoms can include diarrhea stomach cramps fever.

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that is transmitted through contact with infected urine or feces. Symptoms can include high fever headache muscle aches which can progress to kidney liver failure.

Lassa fever is a severe viral illness that is transmitted through contact with infected mouse urine or feces. Symptoms can include fever vomiting bleeding which can lead to organ failure.

Plague a bacterial disease transmitted through fleas that infest mice causes severe illness in humans. Symptoms can include fever chills swollen lymph nodes which can progress to septicemia organ failure.

Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever can also be transmitted by mice as they can serve as hosts for ticks.

Preventing Mouse-Related Diseases

It is important to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of exposure to mouse-borne diseases. The following steps can be taken:

• Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation or exterior walls to prevent mice from entering
• Keep food in sealed containers to prevent contamination by mouse feces or urine
• Clean up any spills or crumbs immediately to reduce the chances of attracting mice
• Store garbage in sealed containers dispose of it regularly
• Maintain good personal hygiene including washing hands frequently

In conclusion mice do carry a variety of diseases that pose a significant risk to human health. It is important to take preventative measures to reduce the risk of exposure to these diseases. If you suspect you may have a mouse infestation seek professional help to ensure the proper safe removal of the pests.