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PEST
CONTROL CANADA
Pests And Health Hazards |
RODENT RELATED HEALTH HAZARDS & DISEASES
Here is information on common diseases caused by rats, as gathered from the
Center For Disease Control & Prevention http://www.cdc.gov
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)
is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or
saliva. Humans can contract the disease when they breathe in aerosolized virus.
HPS was first recognized in 1993 and has since been identified throughout the
United States. Although rare, HPS is potentially deadly. Rodent control in and
around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing hantavirus
infection.
Murine Typhus: Murine typhus (caused by infection with R. typhi)
occurs worldwide and is transmitted to humans by rat fleas. Flea-infested rats
can be found throughout the year in humid tropical environments, but in
temperate regions are most common during the warm summer months. Travelers who
visit in rat-infested buildings and homes, especially in harbor or riverine
environments, can be at risk for exposure to the agent of murine typhus.
Rat-bite fever (RBF): Rat-bite fever (RBF) is a systemic bacterial
illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis that can be acquired through the
bite or scratch of a rodent or the ingestion of food or water contaminated with
rat feces.
Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium: As its name suggests, it
causes a typhoid-like disease in mice. In humans S. Typhimurium does not cause
as severe disease as S. Typhi, and is not normally fatal. The disease is
characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea, and generally
lasts up to 7 days. Unfortunately, in immunocompromized people, that is the
elderly, young, or people with depressed immune systems, Salmonella infections
are often fatal if they are not treated with antibiotics.
Leptospirosis: Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects
humans and animals. It is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. In humans
it causes a wide range of symptoms, and some infected persons may have no
symptoms at all. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache,
chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and
eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not
treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of
the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, and respiratory
distress. In rare cases death occurs.
Eosinophilic Meningitis: Eosinophilic meningitis is an infection of
the brain occurring in association with an increase in the number of eosinophils,
white blood cells that are associated with infection with worms that penetrate
into the body. The organism most commonly causing eosinophilic meningitis is a
rat lung worm called angiostrongylus cantonensis.
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Bites and Stings of medically important venomous
arthropods
http://spiders.ucr.edu/dermatol.html |
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Delusionary Parasitosis.
A condition where people claim that invisible insects or mites are on or
in their skin. |
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Pharaoh ants have become a major pest of
residences, food plants, factories, office
buildings, apartments, and hospitals. Infestations
in hospitals have become a chronic problem in Europe and the United States
where burn victims and newborns are subjected to
increased risk because the Pharaoh ant can transmit over a dozen pathogenic
pathogens. Pharaoh ants have been observed seeking
moisture from the mouths of sleeping infants and from in-use IV bottles. |
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