Mice can carry and transmit a variety of diseases to humans, either directly through contact with their urine, droppings, saliva, or bites, or indirectly through parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites that infest them. Key diseases carried by mice include:
- Hantavirus : Carried mainly by deer mice and white-footed mice, this virus can cause Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe respiratory disease with a high mortality rate. Infection occurs primarily through inhalation of dust contaminated with rodent urine or droppings
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM) : A viral disease hosted by the common house mouse, transmitted via contact with contaminated rodent waste or bites. It can cause symptoms ranging from fever and headache to severe neurological damage, especially dangerous for pregnant women due to risk of fetal harm
- Salmonellosis : A bacterial infection causing gastrointestinal illness, contracted through contact with rodent feces or urine contaminating food or surfaces
- Leptospirosis : Bacterial infection spread through water contaminated with infected urine, potentially leading to kidney and liver damage
- Tularemia : Spread by various rodents including mice, this bacterial disease causes lymph gland inflammation, flu-like symptoms, and respiratory issues
- Rat Bite Fever : Though primarily associated with rats, mice can also carry this bacterial disease transmitted through bites or scratches, causing fever and rash
Additionally, mice can carry ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas, mites, and lice that transmit other diseases like Lyme disease, plague, murine typhus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
. In summary, mice pose health risks through several serious diseases including hantavirus, LCM, salmonellosis, leptospirosis, tularemia, and rat bite fever, as well as through parasites that spread additional illnesses
