Are Mouse Droppings Dangerous To Humans?

With the prevalence of common colds and flu during the winter, staying healthy can become a challenge. The threat mouse droppings pose to our property and health around this time of year isn’t something many consider. An estimated 21 million homes are invaded by rodents every winter in the U.S. Many wonder, “Are mouse droppings dangerous to humans?”

Unfortunately for homeowners, such an infestation can result in a lot more than a headache. Rats and mice take advantage of crevices and cracks to look for shelter, warmth, and food indoors during the colder months. The most significant cause of anxiety is extensive property damage that these pests can do and health problems caused by mice infestation.

Accumulated mouse droppings can trigger allergic reactions in humans, contaminate food and food sources, and spread bacteria. Rodent fecal matter can become hazardous to anyone who breathes it in once it’s dry. The biological contaminants can be spread throughout a house or building via the AC system and cause respiratory issues. There are many dangers of mouse droppings. Let’s look at some of them below.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus is typically transmitted by rodents such as the white-footed deer mouse to humans and can be life-threatening. Chances of infections go up when people reside in areas where rodents live actively. Still, they can become infected through inhalation or exposure to rodent infected saliva or droppings and infected rodent urine.

There have been cases of people falling ill and dying via exposure to deer mice infected with Hantavirus while staying in cabins at Yosemite National Park. According to the CDC, some early symptoms of the Hantavirus include muscle ache, fever, and fatigue. Some people may also get chills, dizziness, abdominal issues, and headaches.

Bubonic Plague

Bubonic Plague, aka “Black Death,” is a deadly, highly contagious disease that’s well-known for the loss of a third of the European population in the Middle Ages. A single bite of an infected rodent flea can spread the disease and result in swollen and painful lymph nodes, fever, and headache. In 2012, a girl from Colorado was found to have the Plague after falling ill during a camping trip.

Salmonellosis

Rodent feces cause this type of food poisoning if they’re present in contaminated, consumed food. Some of the symptoms include abdominal pain, fever, and diarrhea. According to WebMD, there are 40,000 reported cases of Salmonella in the U.S.

Rat-Bite Fever

If you’ve been wondering, “do mice carry diseases” RBF or rat-bite fever is one of the most infectious and fatal diseases spread by the consumption of rodent-contaminated food or infected rodents. According to the CDC, rat-bite fever symptoms will occur 3-10 days after exposure to an infected rodent. Symptoms include muscle pain, rash, headaches, fever, and vomiting.

Conclusion

Rodents pose a massive risk to property in addition to fatal health risks. They can chew through wallboards, wood, cardboard, electrical wiring and destroy insulation in the attic. Every year, they cause up to 25% of all house fires in the U.S.

Since they reproduce fast, they can cause an infestation pretty quickly. Therefore, the first line of defense a homeowner should look at against diseases from mice and the damage they cause is to ensure they don’t get into the home.

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