There are disease concerns with both wild (rats, mice) and pet (rats, mice, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs) rodents and rabbits. They can carry many diseases including hantavirus, leptospirosis, lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), Tularemia and Salmonella. Wild rodents also may cause considerable property damage by chewing through wiring in homes, car engines, and other places.
- Diseases from rodents, CDC
- Rat prevention
- Bird Feeders and Rats: What You Need to Know
Bird feeders can attract unwanted rats and sick birds at crowded feeders can spread disease among other birds. Learn how to maintain your feeder to prevent these issues.
Diseases from wild rodents
- Hantavirus
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) is a severe illness caused from exposure to the droppings or urine of deer mice that carry the virus. About 1- 5 hantavirus cases are reported each year in Washington State and about one third of the cases have been fatal. It is important to take precautions when cleaning up an enclosed space such as a shed, cabin or trailer where mice have nested or rodent droppings are present.
- Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Leptospira that infects both humans and a wide range of animals. It occurs worldwide but is more common in temperate and tropical areas of the world. Some people infected with leptospirosis will have no symptoms at all, and some people will become severely ill. Some wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, pigs, dogs, raccoons, and rodents, carry the Leptospira bacteria and pass them in their urine. Soil or water contaminated with infected urine are the most common causes of human infection. - Plague
Plague is a serious infection of humans caused by a germ called Yersinia pestis. It is usually caused by the bite of a flea that has fed on an infected wild animal, such as a rat, chipmunk or prairie dog. It usually causes large sores and abscesses in the glands of the arms and legs. Dogs, and especially cats, can also become infected and can spread the disease to their human companions. Wild animals in Washington state do not carry plague germs, but people and domestic animals like dogs and cats could be bitten by infected fleas while traveling to other areas of the country. Plague is treatable with antibiotics. - Tularemia
Tularemia is a bacterial disease caused by Francisella tularensis and is most commonly found in wild animals (e.g., wild rodents, squirrels, rabbits, hares and beavers). People and their pets can become ill from tularemia by coming into contact with infected dead or ill animals through animal bites and exposure to contaminated blood or raw meat. Tularemia can also be transmitted by the bite of an infected arthropod (e.g. ticks, biting flies), exposure to contaminated water or soil, and inhalation of bacteria. One to 10 cases of tularemia in people are reported every year. To prevent exposures to tularemia, don't handle dead or ill animals; avoid animal bites, tick and deer fly bites; and avoid direct bare-hand contact with blood and raw meat from wild animals. Don't drink untreated water in areas where tularemia is known to occur in wild animals.
Diseases from pocket pets (rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and rabbits)
Hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and rabbits are popular pets in many homes. Occasionally these animals may carry germs or may come into contact with wildlife and can contract diseases that they can then pass on to their human owners.
- Rat bite fever
Rat bite fever is a bacterial disease. The bacteria are carried by rats and are part of the normal flora of their mouth and nose. People can get infected through bites or scratches by rats. Up to 10% of rat bites may result in rat bite fever. Other animals such as mice, gerbils, squirrels, cats and dogs can also get infected and may or may not get sick with rat bite fever, and can spread it. Rat bite fever is thought to be rare in the U.S. Persons who handle rats as part of their work or children who live in rat infested areas are at higher risk of this disease. - Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Leptospira that infects both humans and a wide range of animals. It occurs worldwide but is more common in temperate and tropical areas of the world. Some people infected with leptospirosis will have no symptoms at all, and some people will become severely ill. Some wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, pigs, dogs, raccoons, and rodents, carry the Leptospira bacteria and pass them in their urine. Soil or water contaminated with infected urine are the most common causes of human infection. - Salmonellosis - rodents and pocket pets
Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection of the intestines caused by a group of bacteria called Salmonella. The bacteria are shed in the stool of infected animals and humans. Infection can happen when a person eats food or drinks water or milk that has been contaminated with Salmonella bacteria. Infection with Salmonella can cause serious disease, especially in children younger than 5 years of age, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. - Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV)
The primary host of lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV) is the common house mouse. Pet rodents can become infected after being in contact with wild house mice infesting pet stores or homes. Pregnant women are most at risk from LCMV infection, which can cause birth defects and intellectual disabilities in the unborn baby. - Monkeypox
Monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus. Despite being named "monkeypox," the source of the disease remains unknown. However, African rodents and monkeys might have the virus and infect people. In Africa, monkeypox kills between one and ten percent of people who get it. In 2003, African rodents infected with monkeypox were brought into the United States and housed with prairie dogs that became infected and were distributed as pets across several states. Over 70 persons were identified as becoming sick with monkeypox after contact with prairie dogs or their environment. People get monkeypox from an infected animal if they are bitten or if they touch the animal's body fluid or blood, and infected people can spread the disease to other people through respiratory droplets produced from sneezing or coughing. An outbreak of monkeypox starting in 2022 has spread across many countries that usually don't report monkeypox, including the United States. In this outbreak, monkeypox is being spread through close physical contact. There are no treatments specifically for monkeypox virus infections. However, since monkeypox and smallpox viruses are similar, certain antiviral drugs and vaccines developed to protect against smallpox may be used to prevent and treat monkeypox virus infections.
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