Mice not only bring horrid smells and dirt into the house, they also carry dangerous illnesses and therefore should be exterminated at the first sign of an infestation. To illustrate my point, I will describe various diseases conveyed to humans by mice.
Mice transmit the bacteria Salmonella Typhimurium. While not the most deadly bacteria, Salmonella Typhimurium can cause annoying intestinal symptoms that include loose stool, cramps nausea and vomiting. The salmonella related intestinal symptoms can prove fatal for debilitated people. The bacteria is spread through food contaminated by mice droppings and is the most frequent cause of food poisoning.
Mice can also transmit tapeworms. Mice get infected with the parasite when they inadvertently eat contaminated food. Subsequently humans become infected when they ingest food containing contaminated mice droppings.. This often happens after people touch mice or mice droppings and then neglect to carefully wash their hands before eating.
Murine Typhus is a mild illness that can be conveyed by both rat and mice fleas. The illness is contracted when a human bite victim itches the place where he was bitten by a flea carrying the disease. While itching the bite area he inevitably introduces flea feces into the blood stream, and that permits the typhus to penetrate into the body. Symptoms, start 6 days to 2 weeks after the bite and include fever, aching muscles and headache.
Leptospirosis is a more serious disease transmitted by mice. It appears in many forms and levels of severity and is one of the major reasons homeowners should assiduously work to rid their home of these disease carrying rodents. When full-blown the disease is alternatively called infectious jaundice or Wiel's disease. Symptoms of Leptospirosis include vomiting, high fever, chills, a rash, achy muscles and jaundice. Other complications of Leptospirosis can include difficulty breathing, kidney damage, liver failure and meningitis. Leptospirosis is usually transmitted by mouse urine.
The most serious mouse borne illness is Hantavirus. This rare condition is found throughout North and South America. The disease can be contacted through inhalation of dust contaminated with mice urine or droppings or through direct contact with mice or their urine or droppings or rarely through a mouse bite. The virus causes Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), which is a potentially deadly disease.
One other condition transmitted by mice is Polio. Polio was once a serious and often fatal condition but is prevented today by vaccination.
These six diseases transmitted by mice are six good reasons why you should call an exterminator at the first sign of a mouse infestation.
About Author: A # 1 Pest Control is a Baltimore pest control company with a complete rodent extermination package
Article Source: ArticlesAlley.com
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