We are still fighting with the deadly coronavirus pandemic and amidst this battle, staying healthy is necessary. However, the presence of house mice can prove to be dangerous. The chief concern regarding mice is that they can turn from nuisance to threat as they carry lethal diseases that can lead to death in some scenarios. Yes, that’s right. 

No, we don’t want to throw you under the bus here, but even though mice don’t usually bite, they carry and spread bacteria and diseases that are deadly to humans.

This blog sheds light on some of the dangerous diseases that mice carry and spreads wherever it goes.

Let’s explore.

Mice-Borne Diseases

Listed below are the diseases carried and spread by a house mouse:

• Hantavirus: A life-threatening disease transmitted to humans by rodents, especially the attic mouse and the white-footed deer mouse. It is transmitted to humans when they breathe in virus-contaminated air or are exposed to the virus-containing particles stirred into the air, such as rodent urine, saliva, droppings, or nesting materials. According to trusted sources, the mortality rate of hantavirus is 38%.
• Salmonellosis: An food poisoning infection that is caused by the salmonella bacteria found in rodent droppings. House mice naturally carry the bacteria in their digestive system and release it through their feces. According to WebMD, approximately 40,000 cases of Salmonella are reported annually in the U.S. alone.
• Plague: Infamous as the Black Death that wiped out one-third of the population in Europe during the Middle Ages, the plague is a highly contagious and deadly disease transmitted to humans by the bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It spreads through the bite of an infected rodent. Without timely treatment, it can get worse and lead to death.
• Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis: LCM is a rodent-borne endemic disease that is highly infectious. It is caused by the Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) of the arenavirus family, whose primary host is the house mouse. They carry the virus and excrete it in their droppings, urine, semen, and nasal secretions. Humans get infected after coming in contact with the food, or dust particles contaminated by the infected house mouse. It is estimated that around 5% of the house mice present in the U.S carry 
• Rat-Bite Fever: Rat-bite fever (RBF) is an infectious, febrile, and lethal human illness caused due to bacteria spread by infected rodents. Humans get infected after coming in direct contact with the rodents who carry the bacteria. Even indirect contact like the consumption of contaminated food or water can infect humans. Lack of treatment can prove fatal and lead to death. 

Wrapping Up

To sum it up, the disease discussed in this blog has one thing in common; urine and feces from mice carry and spread viruses, bacteria, and deadly diseases mentioned above. That is reason enough to plan mice eradication at the earliest as their presence in your home can soon lead to a health hazard. Plus, with the crazy reproduction rates of mice, they can quickly grow into a full-blown infestation.

While mice-proofing your house should be your first line of defense, do not hesitate to seek the help of a professional pest control company to eliminate house mice and breathe in fresh disease-free air.

Tags: House Mouse Control, Mouse Control