We’ve all seen them scurrying around our backyards, or heard their squeaking in our walls. Rats are one of the most common pests in existence, and unfortunately, they can wreak havoc on our health. From rat bites to disease transmission, let’s discuss some of the health hazards created by rats and take a look at the U.S. cities where rats present a serious problem.
Rat Bites
Rats may not seem like they’re capable of doing serious damage to humans, but don’t be fooled—they can cause quite a bit of harm with their sharp teeth and relentless gnawing. When startled or threatened, rats may bite a person or pet in order to defend themselves. Rat bites can cause infection and even lead to rabies if the rat is carrying the virus. It’s important to always practice caution when dealing with rats—or any other animals for that matter!
Disease Transmission
In addition to bites, rats have also been known to spread disease from one person or animal to another. This can occur if an infected rat passes its germs through feces, saliva, or simply by coming into contact with other people or animals. Diseases spread by rats include hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS), salmonellosis, leptospirosis, plague, and more. These diseases can cause severe respiratory illness and even death in some cases. In addition to human illnesses caused by rats, they can also transmit diseases between pets as well.
The Spread Of Allergens
Even if you never come into contact with a rat directly, you may still be affected by their presence in your home or workplace due to allergens in their droppings and urine. Rat droppings contain protein allergens that can trigger allergies in humans and pets alike; this is especially true for people who have asthma or compromised immune systems. If you experience sudden allergic reactions without an obvious explanation like pollen or pet dander being present in your home, it could be related to rat droppings.
View the list of the top 25 rattiest cities in 2022 on our sister site, The Leader News, here.
