Can you get sick from eating something a mouse chewed on?
In this short article, we will provide an answer to the question, “Can you get sick from eating something a mouse chewed on?” with an in-depth analysis of different diseases transmitted by mice, ways to get rid of mice and to keep mice from entering your home.
Can you get sick from eating something a mouse chewed on?
The clear answer is Yes, you can get sick from eating anything a mouse has chewed on. Mice are full of diseases and can do a lot of damage to your home. In fact, the presence of a single mouse, especially in the kitchen can pose potential health risks and safety concerns.
Diseases transmitted by mouse
Having a mouse in your home is bad news concerning your health and belongings. Mice are critical transporters of foodborne pathogens. They can spread diseases in various ways:
Through their urine and droppings
Even if you have no contact with mice, they can spread various diseases through their waste such as Salmonella, lymphocytic choriomeningitis and hantavirus.
- Salmonella
Mice can spread out the waste debris, along with bacteria and dirt particles across the kitchen counters. This commonly leads to food poisoning caused by Salmonella, as we may contract the bacteria while working in the kitchen.
Symptoms include stomach ache, fever, and diarrhoea characterized by vomiting which can become serious over time.
- Hantavirus
Viruses can be easily spread through the air we breathe after the mouse urine and faeces dry out and convert to dust. A commonly known virus that spreads this way is the hantavirus.
Symptoms include body aches, chills and fever. If left untreated, it can lead to severe shortness of breath and kidney failure.
- Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV)
Rats can also transmit more severe viral infections namely Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCMV) that causes serious neurological problems. An individual can become infected by exposure to fresh mouse urine, droppings, and saliva.
Through the parasites they carry
Certain pests and parasites sneak on the bodies of rats which can be easily transferred if a mouse enters your home. For instance, Colorado tick fever and Lyme disease are transmitted by ticks, which often reside inside on the furry backs of rats.
If there are ticks in your garden, you may be particularly prone to these diseases if a mouse comes inside.
Similarly, the Bubonic plague is not caused by the mice themselves, instead, it is caused by the insects that mice carry inside.
Through bites
Although rats do not bite often, they can transmit the bacteria that is responsible for rat-bite fever. The disease can be transferred by a direct bite, or by contracting a dead mouse that has the infection as well as by consuming food items that are contaminated by rats.
Through the food
Mice can chew and bite on anything, spreading diseases when they directly come in contact with the food.
So, in order to prevent infections and illnesses, you should never consume any food that has been chewed by a mouse. In fact, throw any food item that has been chewed by a mouse into your outside garbage.
Signs you have mice in your home
If you have noticed a mouse nesting material and droppings in your home, have heard noises in your walls mostly at night, or have observed indications of food packaging being chewed, it is possible that you have a mouse in your house.
How to clean up mouse debris
The process of cleaning up the mouse nesting or places they have defecated and urinated on should never be taken lightly. This is because of the risk of infection affiliated with them. While cleaning the mouse debris, keep the following tips in mind:
- You should never sweep or use a vacuum to clean mouse droppings as it can spread more bacteria into the air and the dust can make you very sick.
- It is recommended to wear a mask and vinyl or latex gloves while cleaning up mouse-infected spots to avoid contracting the infectious agents.
- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests spraying the space with a mixture of bleach and water or disinfectant and wait for five minutes before using paper cloths to wipe the area clean.
- After you are done, put the dirty paper towels into a plastic bag and throw them in the garbage outside of the house.
- The area should then be cleaned and disinfected properly.
How to get rid of mice
If you have detected the presence of a mouse in your house, you can use a few common methods to get rid of it including bait stations and snap traps. Traps having a piece of cracker with peanut butter should be set and placed anywhere around your home where you have detected mice. Monitor them daily and wear gloves to release any dead mice trapped. Throw it in the outside garbage immediately after placing it in a plastic bag.
Conclusion
In this short article, we have provided an answer to the question, “Can you get sick from eating something a mouse chewed on?” with an in-depth analysis of different diseases transmitted by mice, ways to get rid of mice and to keep mice from entering your home.
