What Diseases Do Rats and Mice Carry in Georgia?

Rodents are considered one of the most dangerous pests to your health because of their ability to transmit potentially deadly diseases to humans and other animals. Some of these diseases are spread through direct contact with rodents or their urine, droppings, or saliva. Others are transmitted indirectly through parasites like fleas and ticks that infest rodents.

What diseases do rats carry in Georgia - Active Pest Control

Across the globe, rodents can transmit over 35 illnesses including:

Rat-bite fever
Bubonic plague
Colorado tick fever
Salmonellosis
Hantavirus
Lyme disease
Leptospirosis

Symptoms of a Rodent-Borne Illness

Though rats and mice can spread all sorts of bacteria, there are just four main rodent-borne illnesses in Georgia. Each is dangerous to your health, especially without prompt medical attention. Here are the common rodent-related diseases in Georgia and their associated symptoms:

Hantavirus: This spreads through contact with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva – especially from deer mice. It can lead to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory illness that causes fever and chills.
Salmonella: This bacterial infection is commonly associated with contaminated food and water. When rodents carry Salmonella bacteria, they can spread it through their feces, contaminating surfaces or food. It can cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, and vomiting.
Rat-bite fever: This illness is transmitted to humans through bites or scratches from infected rodents or through contact with their urine or droppings. Symptoms typically include fever, vomiting, joint pain, and rash.
Bubonic plague: Unlike the other diseases, the plague typically spreads through the fleas living on rats rather than the rats themselves. It’s one of the most famous rodent-borne illnesses in history and can cause symptoms like fever, chills, headache, and swollen lymph nodes.

If you’ve recently come into contact with a rodent or their droppings and experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

Protect Your Health With Professional Rodent Removal

Whether you have an infestation or you want to protect your property from getting rodents in the first place, the team at Active Pest Control is here to help. Our professionals can thoroughly inspect your property to identify entry points, nesting areas, and the extent of the infestation to create a custom treatment plan. With our tools and experience, we’ll quickly and safely eliminate your rodent problem so you don’t have to worry. Call us today to schedule your appointment!

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