Shocking Mice Disease Symptoms: Mice-Borne Diseases!

Mice can be carriers of some pretty serious and even shocking diseases. We’ve compiled a list of the most common mice disease symptoms to help you identify if you have a mouse problem in your home.

Key Takeaways:

• Mice can carry diseases like LCMV, Hantavirus, Rat-Bite Fever, Salmonellosis, Plague, and Tularemia.
• Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, and rash.
• Seek medical help if you experience these symptoms after exposure to mice.
• Remove mice from your home and take preventive measures to reduce the risk.

LCMV (Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus)

LCMV is a viral infectious disease that is spread to humans through contact with the urine, droppings, saliva, or nesting materials of infected mice. LCMV can cause a wide range of symptoms, including fever, lack of appetite, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and malaise (feeling unwell). In severe cases, LCMV can cause meningitis, encephalitis, or meningoencephalitis, which can be fatal.

Most people who are infected with LCMV have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, LCMV can cause severe birth defects if a pregnant woman is infected with the virus. Pregnant women should avoid contact with mice and other rodents.

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

This disease is spread through mice droppings, urine, and saliva. You can contract the virus by breathing in the air or by eating food that has been contaminated. The symptoms of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome are similar to the flu and include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. However, the disease can quickly become life-threatening and lead to shortness of breath and coughing.

If you have been exposed to mice, it is important to keep an eye out for symptoms and contact your doctor right away. There is no specific treatment for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, but early medical care can increase your chances of a full recovery.

Rat-Bite Fever

Rat-bite fever is a bacterial infection that can be spread to humans through the bites and scratches of infected rodents. It can also be spread through contaminated food or water. Rat-bite fever can cause fever, vomiting, muscle pain, and a rash. Rat-bite fever is treated with antibiotics.

Salmonellosis (Salmonella)

This is a common foodborne illness, but it can also be spread by mice. The bacteria that cause salmonellosis can be found in their urine and feces. Symptoms may include fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In some cases, the illness can spread from the intestines to the blood and other parts of the body. This can be life-threatening if not treated.

Plague

Plague is a very serious disease. It’s a bacterial infection that’s carried by rodents including mice. People can contract plague from mice or from fleas that have bitten infected mice. The disease is rare today but it can be deadly if not treated promptly.

Plague can cause a variety of symptoms, depending on the type of plague you have. The most common symptoms include:

• fever

• chills

• headache

• weakness

• swollen lymph nodes

• nausea

• vomiting

• diarrhea

• abdominal pain

• chest pain

• cough

• shock

Plague can be a life-threatening illness. If you develop symptoms of plague after being exposed to mice, get medical help immediately.

Tularemia (Rabbit Fever)

This disease is typically spread by rabbits and ticks, but mice can also be carriers. In the early stages, symptoms can include a high fever, chills, and headache. Other symptoms include muscle aches, chest pain, and cough. An ulcer at the site of the infection is common.

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially after a potential exposure to mice, seek medical help.

This disease can be treated with antibiotics. If left untreated, severe cases can lead to respiratory failure and death.

Symptoms of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

While HPS is very rare, it can be fatal if not treated quickly. Symptoms of HPS can vary, but may include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Body aches

• Headaches

• Shortness of breath

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

Symptoms of Rat-Bite Fever

Rat-bite fever is a potentially fatal disease that can be transmitted through a bite or scratch from an infected rodent, or by eating food or drinking water contaminated with rodent feces. Symptoms of rat-bite fever include chills, fever, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and a rash on the hands and feet. If left untreated, rat-bite fever can lead to complications such as heart disease, pneumonia, and meningitis.

Symptoms of Salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. It can last up to a week and may require hospitalization. Severe cases are more common in the elderly, infants, and those with weakened immune systems.

Symptoms typically appear six hours to six days after infection. In some cases, it can take two weeks. Symptoms include:

• Diarrhea

• Fever

• Stomach cramps

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Headache

• Muscle pain

• Blood in the stool

Symptoms of Plague

Plague is a disease that was responsible for the Black Death pandemic in the 14th century. It is still present in the United States, with most cases occurring in rural areas.

Symptoms of plague usually appear within two weeks of infection and include:

• Fever

• Chills

• Headache

• Weakness

• Swollen lymph nodes

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Blood in the lungs or pneumonia

• Bloodstream infection

• Bleeding, tissue death, and organ failure in severe cases

Symptoms of Tularemia

Tularemia is a bacterial disease typically found in rabbits, hares, and rodents, including mice. The disease is also zoonotic, meaning it can be spread to humans. Tularemia is most commonly spread to humans through ticks and deer flies, but it can also be transmitted through direct contact with an infected animal, such as a mouse.

There are several forms of tularemia, including ulceroglandular, glandular, oculoglandular, oropharyngeal, pneumonic, and typhoidal. Symptoms of tularemia depend on the form of the disease and can include:

• Skin ulcers

• Fever

• Chills

• Headache

• Muscle aches

• Dry cough

• Chest pain

• Joint pain

• Swollen and painful lymph glands

• Red eyes or eye pain

• Sore throat

• Mouth ulcers

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss

• Pneumonia

• Sudden fever

• Exhaustion

Conclusion

The only way to ensure that you are not at risk of contracting a mice-borne disease is to remove the mice from your home. If you have a mice infestation, contact a professional mice control company like Orkin Canada. Our team of pest control experts will be able to remove the mice from your home and help you take steps to prevent future infestations.