Mice can potentially carry diseases and parasites that can make people sick. If you have seen signs of mice in your home or room, you may be concerned about the health risks. In this article, we will look at the main ways mice can spread illness, what diseases they may carry, how to prevent sickness, and when to seek medical care.
How can mice spread illness?
There are a few main ways mice can spread germs and make you sick:
Through their droppings
Mice produce dozens of pellet-like droppings each day. These droppings can contain bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Droppings are left around areas mice frequent such as in cupboards, floors, and walls. If droppings are stirred up, the contaminants can be breathed in. Droppings can also contaminate surfaces and food.
Through their urine
Mice urinate frequently, releasing up to 100 drops of urine per day. Urine can contain germs like leptospirosis bacteria. Urine left around the house can spread disease if it contaminates surfaces, food, water, etc.
Through direct contact
Mice can spread germs directly through bites. Diseases like rat-bite fever are transmitted this way. Mice can also shed viruses, bacteria, and parasites through their skin and fur. Coming into contact with mice or nesting materials can pose a risk.
By contaminating food
Mice will look for food sources in your home. If they contaminate or eat human food, they can transmit sickness through their saliva, droppings and urine. Eating food that mice have been around poses a high risk.
Diseases mice can carry
Some of the main illnesses mice can spread include:
Hantavirus
Hantavirus is carried by rodents and passed through their urine and droppings. It causes a severe respiratory disease in humans that can be fatal. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headaches, shortness of breath and cough.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis bacteria can be found in mice urine. If it enters the body through mucous membranes or broken skin, it causes flu-like symptoms. Without treatment, it can lead to organ damage and meningitis.
Rat-bite fever
This bacterial infection is spread through mice bites or scratches. Symptoms include fever, rash, muscle pain and vomiting. Complications like joint, heart and brain infections can occur if left untreated.
Salmonella
Mice can pick up salmonella bacteria from contaminated food or surfaces, then spread it through their droppings. Salmonella causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps when transmitted to humans.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)
This virus is shed by rodents through urine, droppings, saliva and skin. Flu-like symptoms occur in humans, and in rare cases, it can cause brain infections. Pregnant women are at risk of miscarriage.
Tapeworms and other parasites
Mice can carry parasitic worms like tapeworms and roundworms. The parasites’ eggs are shed in the mice droppings. If accidentally ingested, the eggs hatch into worms that take up residence in the intestines.
| Disease | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Hantavirus | Fever, muscle aches, headaches, shortness of breath, cough |
| Leptospirosis | Fever, chills, vomiting, muscle pain, headaches |
| Rat-bite fever | Fever, rash, vomiting, joint pain |
| Salmonella | Diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps |
| LCMV | Fever, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, nausea |
| Tapeworms/roundworms | Abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, weight loss |
Preventing illness from mice
You can take steps to help prevent sickness caused by mice:
Seal up entry points
Mice can squeeze through holes as small as 1/4 inch. Seal any cracks or openings on walls, around pipes, windows etc. to block their entry. Use steel wool, caulk or concrete to plug holes.
Clean up thoroughly
Be diligent about cleaning up any traces of mice as soon as you see them. Disinfect areas or throw out food they contaminated. Promptly clean up droppings, nests and dead mice using gloves and disinfectant.
Use traps or bait strategically
Traps or rodent bait placed in areas mice frequent will help reduce the number living in your home. Follow directions carefully and keep baits away from children and pets.
Store food properly
Keep human and pet food sealed tightly in chew-proof containers. Mice can chew through plastic or cardboard. Clean up spills right away.
Reduce clutter
Get rid of unnecessary stacks of paper, boxes and other clutter mice can hide in. Keep things organized and floors clear.
Contact pest control if needed
For severe mouse problems, contact a professional pest control company. They can assess your home, locate entry points, and use humane methods to remove mice.
Seeking medical care
See your doctor right away if you experience concerning symptoms after discovering mice in your home, such as:
– High fever
– Body rash
– Nausea and vomiting
– Severe headaches
– Breathing difficulties
Let your doctor know about the rodent exposure so they can test for related illnesses like hantavirus. Treatment with antibiotics, antivirals or steroids may be used depending on the diagnosis. Drink plenty of fluids and get lots of rest.
In rare cases, diseases transmitted by mice can be fatal if not treated promptly. Visit the emergency room immediately if you have symptoms like high fever, confusion or difficulty breathing after known mice exposure.
Some people may just need to take precautions if they have a weaker immune system. Those who are pregnant, infants and young children, elderly individuals, and those with HIV/AIDS or an immunodeficiency disorder have a higher risk for complications. Mouse-related illness in these groups should be treated as a medical emergency.
Conclusion
Mice can potentially transmit a number of harmful diseases through their droppings, saliva and urine. However, the risk of getting sick is low if you take proper precautions. Thoroughly clean areas where mice have been, use traps and baits, seal up entry points, and store food securely. Seek medical care right away if concerning symptoms develop after exposure to mice. Taking sensible steps to control mice and cleaning cautiously can help reduce the already low chance of contracting an illness.