Dangers of Being Exposed to Mouse Droppings

Mice have been a bane to society since the early sixth century when mice caused the first ever recorded  bubonic plague in history. This plague was the first of its kind, it occurred in the Byzantine Empire killing more than 25 million people. This was named the Plague of Justinian after the emperor Justinian who had been infected but survived miraculously through extensive supportive treatment. Since then mice have been the source of many pandemics across Europe, China and the Indian subcontinent. The danger may seem like it has passed as these events happened about a century ago but the rising population density in cities has given these pests a way and means to infiltrate our homes, mice can be the cause of the next pandemic which we may face.

Infestation

Mice infestations are the main cause of all rodent borne diseases and the cause of infestations are the root to all problems. Mice, like all living organisms, need food to eat, water to drink and a place to stay. The main causes of infestation occur when an area has food, water and shelter and the mice can find a way to get inside.  Mice seek out a warm and safe place to spend the nights, and so attics are perfect. These disease-ridden critters are nocturnal, and can often be heard scampering up the walls and in the attic at night. They chew on electrical wires, contaminate food, and spread diseases.

Dangers Of Mouse Droppings

If you have a mouse infestation at your residence or place of work, coming in contact with mouse droppings is very possible. Just touching the droppings can cause a vast number of diseases. Mouse droppings are small and could be easily mistaken for the regular debris that find their way onto the floors of our homes. Many homeowners aren’t tipped off to the fact that they share their residence with an infestation of mice until more than droppings are found, often near food. Mouse droppings are more than an indication that your home’s defenses have been breached; droppings mean that there is a potential for illness, no matter how miniscule.

Some of these diseases are:

1)  Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a deadly disease transmitted by infected rodents through urine, droppings, or saliva and although rare it has been recorded to be fatal if not treated immediately.

2) Mouse Bite Fever

Mouse-bite fever (RBF) is a systemic bacterial illness caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis, a bacteria that can be acquired through the bite or saliva of a rodent or the ingestion of food or water contaminated with mouse feces.

3) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Salmonella poisoning occurs by ingesting rodent droppings and it causes a typhoid-like disease in mice and in humans.  The disease is characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and nausea, and generally lasts up to 7 days. Unfortunately, in immunocompromised people, such as the elderly, young, or people with depressed immune systems, Salmonella infections are often fatal if they are not treated with antibiotics.

Rodent control in and around the home remains the primary strategy for preventing diseases. It is important to call a pest control company when you have rodent problems and DIY methods don’t seem to work. Hiring professional services from pest control companies like Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control is still the best option. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control will not only make sure that your rodent problems are solved but will also ensure that you will be saving money in the long run because you will never have to call a pest control company ever again.