EcoGuard Pest Management
Rat and mice diseases and health risks
By Gary Anderson||4 min read

Mice & Rat Diseases

Diseases transmitted by rodents, transmission routes, and how to protect yourself.

35+ Diseases
Transmitted by rodents
40x Daily
Droppings per rodent
Direct & Indirect
Transmission routes

There are several infectious pathogens that can be passed on and spread via rats and mice. They transmit diseases through bites, their waste, and indirectly through parasites.

One of the most notorious pandemics in human history was the Black Plague, caused by infections spread by rat fleas and lice. In addition to being disease vectors, rodents are also horrible for those with allergies. They shed dander, droppings, and urine which impact air quality.

Health Warning: Both rats and mice release droppings 40 times a day, contaminating large areas quickly. Take proper precautions when cleaning rodent waste.

Types of Rat & Mice Diseases

Airborne Diseases

Bacteria, viruses, and pathogens breathed in causing respiratory infections. Hantavirus is most common, transmitted through dried waste, urine, and saliva creating contaminated dust particles.

Food Borne Diseases

Rodents search for food and inevitably contaminate it through surface contact. Spreads E. Coli and Salmonella. Can lead to severe food poisoning or worse.

Parasite Borne Diseases

Rodents introduce parasites like fleas and ticks that carry their own diseases. Spread Lyme disease, plague, and anaplasmosis.

Diseases from Bites

Rat bites are rare but happen more than mouse bites. Rats frequent dirty places like sewers and trash. High likelihood of rat bite fever infection if untreated.

Disease Transmission Routes

Rats and mice carry serious pathogens that can be deadly. Rodents become infected because they congregate around trash, subways, sewers, and alleys. Transmission usually results from:

Exposure to rodent droppings, urine, saliva, and nesting material
Direct contact via bite or scratch from infected rodent
Exposure to contaminated food or water
Handling infected rodent through skin-to-skin contact
Exposure to infected ectoparasites (fleas, ticks) brought in by rodents

Protect Your Family from Rodent Diseases

Professional rodent control eliminates the health risks from rats and mice.

Call (866) 326-2847

Diseases Transmitted Directly from Rats & Mice

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Region: North & South America

Transmission: Breathing contaminated dust from dried waste, bites, direct contact

Hemorrhagic Fever with Renal Syndrome

Region: Eastern Europe, Asia, Russia

Transmission: Contaminated waste, person-to-person contact

Leptospirosis

Region: Worldwide

Transmission: Contaminated food and drinking water

Plague

Region: US, South America, Africa, Asia

Transmission: Direct contact with infected animals, infected flea bites

Salmonellosis

Region: Worldwide

Transmission: Contaminated food and water

Tularemia

Region: Worldwide

Transmission: Infected tick bites, contaminated food or water

Rat-Specific Diseases

Lassa Fever

Region: Africa

Transmitted through all routes: breathing, eating contaminated materials, person-to-person, direct rodent contact.

Rat Bite Fever

Region: Worldwide (variants in different regions)

From bites/scratches from infected rats, contact with dead rats, or contaminated food/water.

Mouse-Specific Diseases

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis

Region: Worldwide

Contact with urine/droppings or breathing contaminated air. Rarely from bites.

Diseases Transmitted Indirectly from Rats & Mice

Rodents carry parasites that spread additional diseases to humans:

Tick-Borne Diseases

BabesiosisColorado Tick FeverHuman Granulocytic AnaplasmosisLyme DiseaseOmsk Hemorrhagic FeverPowassan VirusRelapsing FeverRocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Flea-Borne Diseases

Murine TyphusPlague

Mite-Borne Diseases

Scrub TyphusRickettsialpox

Other Parasite-Borne

Cutaneous LeishmaniasisSylvatic Typhus

Exterminate Rats & Mice Today

If you have seen rats, mice, or signs of rodent activity, there is risk of exposure to serious diseases. Call EcoGuard Pest Management to get a licensed and trained rodent control specialist out to help exterminate your rodent problem.

Call (866) 326-2847Get Free Quote

Rat & Mice Diseases FAQs

What diseases can rats transmit to humans?

The most common are hantavirus, plague, salmonella, rat bite fever, tularemia, and leptospirosis. There are several others including those spread indirectly by infected parasites from rodent populations.

Can you get sick from rats in your house?

Yes, diseases can be caused by direct contact with rodents, bites or scratches, contact with their urine or waste, breathing contaminated air, or eating something they have contaminated.

What disease can you get from rat feces?

The most common disease from rat feces is hantavirus. It is recommended to air out any area contaminated with rodent waste before cleaning to reduce hantavirus exposure risk.

From Our Blog

Related Articles

Different Types of Rat Species in North America

Different Types of Rat Species in North America

Learn about common rat species including brown rats, black rats, packrats, and marsh rats. Identification, behavior,...

Read Article
How Big Can Rats Get? Size Guide by Species

How Big Can Rats Get? Size Guide by Species

Learn how big rats can get by species, from common brown and black rats to giant species. Discover what factors affect...

Read Article
How Long Do Rats Live? Lifespan, Life Cycle & Reproduction

How Long Do Rats Live? Lifespan, Life Cycle & Reproduction

Learn about rat lifespan, life cycle stages, reproduction rates, and factors affecting longevity. Understand why rat...

Read Article
How to Get Rid of Rats: Complete Control Guide

How to Get Rid of Rats: Complete Control Guide

Learn how to get rid of rats in your house and yard. Traps, prevention, exclusion, deterrents, and when to call...

Read Article
How to Identify and Get Rid of Rat Holes and Burrows

How to Identify and Get Rid of Rat Holes and Burrows

Learn how to identify rat holes and burrows, understand the dangers they pose, and discover effective methods to...

Read Article
How to Repel Rats: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Repel Rats: A Comprehensive Guide

Learn effective rat repellent strategies including natural deterrents, chemical options, exclusion tactics, and where...

Read Article
What are Rats? Species, Behavior, Signs & Control

What are Rats? Species, Behavior, Signs & Control

Learn about rats including Norway and roof rat species, behavior, diet, reproduction, signs of infestation, and how to...

Read Article
What are Roof Rats? Identification, Prevention & Control

What are Roof Rats? Identification, Prevention & Control

Learn about roof rats (black rats), their behavior, what attracts them, signs of infestation, and how to prevent and...

Read Article
What Do Rats Eat? Diet, Food Preferences & Trapping Baits

What Do Rats Eat? Diet, Food Preferences & Trapping Baits

Learn what rats eat, what attracts them to your home and yard, toxic foods for rats, and the best foods for trapping...

Read Article
What Does Rat Poop Look Like? Identification and Health Risks

What Does Rat Poop Look Like? Identification and Health Risks

Learn how to identify rat droppings, understand the health risks they pose, and discover safe cleanup methods. Complete...

Read Article