What kind of diseases do mice carry

Through their natural behaviours, rats can weaken building structures by: gnawing through lead and aluminium sheeting chewing through electrical wiring, which can start fires by shorting-out appliances or lighting fixtures. How can I discourage rats from my property? Rats normally come out at night. Signs you may have an infestation of rats or mice include: droppings 12 mm to 18 mm long added debris such as snail shells or fruits with the sides eaten out bones left in the corners of sheds, under homes and other secluded spots greasy trails or rub marks along paths they travel, especially supports or beams burrow holes around buildings signs of gnawing damage pet dogs, cats and birds being more excitable than usual squeaking, gnawing or scratching noises in walls, cupboards, ceilings and under floors.

Rats can be discouraged and controlled simply by denying them food and shelter: Store firewood away from the sides of sheds and fences and keep it well clear 40 cm off the ground.

Regularly remove or limit garden waste or other disused material in sheds or around your yard. Remove fruit and nuts from trees or vines at the end of the season.

Block holes and other potential access points around all buildings. Store bird seed and chicken feed in an airtight container. Keep pet food dishes clean and store bulk pet food supplies in containers and locations where rats cannot enter or chew through. Maintain rubbish and compost bins free from holes. Do not include meat scraps in compost. What should I do if I have rats on my property?

Some mouse diseases spread through ticks. These small parasites latch onto infected mice and drink their blood. They then use rodents to enter yards, houses, or stores. Ticks that bite people or pets may transmit babesiosis, anaplasmosis, plague, and Lyme disease.

The pests pass on illnesses directly as well through mouse bites or scratches. However, this method is less common. Bacteria in rodent saliva can result in conditions such as rat-bite fever. Mice negatively impact businesses and create serious health concerns. Featured photo courtesy flickr user Victor Engmark. Used under a Creative Commons 2. World Canada Local. What you need to know about mice in your home and how to get rid of them. Full Menu Search Menu.

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Story continues below advertisement. Bubonic plague is characterized by the onset of fever, headache, chills, and weakness and one or more swollen, tender and painful lymph nodes called buboes. These symptoms typically appear in two to six days after exposure. The buboes generally occur in the lymph nodes closest to where the bacteria entered the human body contain large quantities of multiplying bacteria.

Transmission of plague may also result from contact with contaminated fluid or tissue. For example, a hunter skinning a rabbit or other infected animal without using proper precautions could become infected. This form of exposure most commonly results in bubonic plague or septicemic plague. Septicemic plague is characterized by life threatening septic shock with fever, chills, extreme weakness, abdominal pain, shock, and possibly bleeding into the skin and other organs.

Septicemic plague can occur as the first symptom of plague, or may develop from untreated bubonic plague. Pneumonic plague typically develops after a person breathes in bacteria-containing droplets. Patients develop fever, headache, weakness, and a rapidly developing pneumonia with shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough.

The pneumonia may cause respiratory failure and shock. Pneumonic plague is the most serious form of the disease and is the only form of plague that can be spread from person to person. Plague is a very serious illness, but is treatable with commonly available antibiotics if caught very early on. However, without prompt treatment, the disease can cause serious illness or death.

The earlier a patient seeks medical care and receives treatment that is appropriate for plague, the better his or her chances are for a full recovery. Close contacts of patients with pneumonic plague may need to be evaluated and possibly treated as well. Preventing rodent encounters and contact is key to mitigating the risks of plague, so homeowners should ensure any exterior cracks or crevices are sealed.

Additionally, pet owners should practice active flea management to prevent fleas from hitchhiking inside. Tularemia is a disease of animals and humans caused by the bacterium Francisella tularensis. Rabbits, hares, and other rodents are especially susceptible and often die in large numbers during outbreaks.

Humans can become infected through several routes, including tick and deer fly bites; skin contact with infected animals; ingestion of contaminated water; and through laboratory exposure or inhalation of contaminated dusts or aerosols. Tularemia is widely distributed and found in many parts of the United States.

Naturally occurring infections have been reported from all states except Hawaii. The signs and symptoms of tularemia vary depending on how the bacteria enters the body. Although tularemia can be life-threatening, most infections can be treated successfully with antibiotics. The most common form of tularemia is ulceroglandular disease and usually occurs following a tick or deer fly bite or after handling an infected animal.