Disease Spread From Mice to Humans Through Droppings
As the weather gets colder, we do everything in our power to stay warm and cozy. Rodents do the same, seeking shelter in homes, attics, and garages. But beyond the nuisance, they bring a much bigger danger: the spread of life-threatening diseases.
A total of 35 illnesses have been associated with rodents, with Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS) being the most dangerous. To make things worse, diseases carried by rodents can spread in multiple ways, even without direct contact with the animals. People understand the direct danger of having a live rodent infestation but frequently underestimate the danger that still lurks once the rodents are gone.
Concerned about potential health risks from rodent infestations? Contact Spaulding Decon now for immediate assistance!
This is why it is crucial to gather all the information available regarding what diseases do mice carry and how to respond in situations where you suspect you have a rodent problem.
Today we are going to go over some important information regarding the health risks associated with mice and rat infestations, and we’ll give you some tips on how to stay on top of your rodent problem.
Ways Rodents Transmit Disease:
- Airborne Transmission – Dry droppings release harmful particles into the air when disturbed.
- Direct Contact – Touching contaminated surfaces or droppings can spread bacteria.
- Food Contamination – Rodent droppings or urine in food sources can lead to infection.
- Rodent Bites & Scratches – Though rare, bites can introduce dangerous pathogens.
- Parasites (Fleas, Mites, Ticks) – Rodents carry parasites that can spread disease.
One of the most common ways humans get infected by rodent-related diseases is through contact with feces, urine, and saliva. Rodent feces, also known as droppings, can be a severe threat, especially if handled by an inexperienced individual. Droppings can spread bacteria and can contaminate food and even the air. If you try to clean up dry droppings on your own, chances are you’ll stir them up, allowing for the diseases to become airborne. This increases the chances of getting sick from mouse droppings substantially. Once airborne, these diseases can spread rapidly and can become hazardous for everyone in the immediate vicinity.
If you identify droppings in your home, never attempt to clean them without proper protective equipment. It is highly recommended to contact a professional biohazard cleanup service to remove the risk of airborne contamination.
Unsure about the safety of your environment? Schedule a free consultation with our experts today!
Next, we’ll cover some of the most common and dangerous diseases transmitted by mice and rat droppings.
Diseases from Mice:
Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS): A Deadly Disease
We’ll start by talking about Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), one of the most common but also, unfortunately, one of the most dangerous diseases spread by mice, with a fatality rate of 38%. This potentially life-threatening disease is carried by the Peromyscus genus of rodents, also known as deer mice. Deer mice also happen to be one of the most common species of mice in the United States. The first-ever case of Hantavirus infection was reported in 1993.
How Do Humans Get Infected?
Humans are most commonly exposed to the virus through inhalation of aerosolized particles of infected rodent droppings, urine or saliva. Another way to get infected is through eating food that is contaminated by urine, droppings, or saliva from an infected rodent. Rodent bites can also transmit the virus so if you experience a nasty encounter with one of these small creatures, make sure to contact a medical physician as soon as possible.
Symptoms of Hantavirus Infection
- Fatigue, Fever, Nausea
- Muscle Aches (Thighs, Hips, Back, Shoulders)
- Vomiting, Diarrhea, Chills, and Abdominal Pain
- Severe Cases: Respiratory failure due to fluid buildup in the lungs
Some of the symptoms you may encounter are fatigue, fever, nausea, and headaches. It’s also not uncommon to experience muscle aches in the thighs, hips, back, and shoulders. The Center for Disease Control also points out that in some cases, those infected by the virus might experience vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, chills, and abdominal pain as well.
If not acted on quickly, Hantavirus can develop into HPS (hantavirus pulmonary syndrome). This often fatal pulmonary disease is characterized by shortness of breath and respiratory failure.
Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for a Hantavirus infection, aside from catching it as early as possible so that the patient can receive acute medical care. As far as prevention goes, the best course of action is to eliminate the threat before it gets to the point where it can cause issues.
In other words, the best way to prevent getting exposed to the Hantavirus is to eliminate the chances of contact with rodents in your home or any other location. Regular pest control in areas frequented by humans is a must in order to minimize the chances of contact. Another thing you should consider doing is inspecting your property thoroughly and sealing any cracks and crevices you might find.
How Long Does Hantavirus Live in Droppings?
There are several factors that influence the time that the Hantavirus remains infectious in droppings. The main factor is whether the droppings are located indoors or outdoors. For example, the virus doesn’t handle direct sunlight well and usually dies off within a few hours, but if the droppings are located indoors in a humid environment and under normal room temperature, the virus can remain active for even a couple of days. Furthermore, the diet of the rodent can influence the duration that the Hantavirus remains active.
Never assume old droppings are safe to handle—professional biohazard cleanup is the only way to eliminate the risk.
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis (LCM) diseases from mice
Another disease that needs to be mentioned is Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis. It’s one of the more common viral infectious diseases from mice. It is caused by the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus(LCMV) found in common house mice. Humans can get infected by LCMV after exposure to nesting materials of infected rodents, as well as droppings, saliva, and urine. Bites and direct contact through broken skin can also cause an infection.
Approximately 5 percent of common house mice carry the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, but even other domesticated rodents, such as hamsters, can become carriers due to being infected by wild mice.
Symptoms of LCM Infection
- Fever & Fatigue
- Severe Headaches
- Muscle & Joint Pain
- Neurological Complications (Meningitis, Encephalitis)
Early symptoms of an LCMV infection occur 8-13 days after exposure and are most commonly a mild fever and lack of appetite, followed by nasty headaches, muscle aches, and vomiting. In some cases, patients reported having a sore throat, chest pain, and salivary gland pain. As the illness progresses, infected individuals may experience inflammation of the meninges, i.e., meningitis, and inflammation of the brain called encephalitis.
While LCMV infections do not necessarily have a fatal outcome, some individuals may experience temporary or even permanent damage to their nervous system. Women who are exposed to LCMV during pregnancy have a high chance of passing the infection on to their unborn child. LCMV fetal infections may result in congenital disabilities such as vision impairment, hydrocephaly, and many other mental conditions.
Individuals exposed to the virus require immediate hospitalization and treatment to ensure they have minimum repercussions.
If you suspect rodent activity in your home, immediate decontamination is crucial to prevent exposure.
Diseases from Rats:
Rat-bite fever (RBF)
Rat-bite fever is definitely not a disease to take lightly. Two different bacteria cause it: Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus. As the name implies, RBF is most commonly transferred through bites or scratches by rats carrying one of the two bacteria. That being said, RBF can also be caused by exposure to the bacteria while inappropriately handling and disposing of dead rodents carrying the bacteria.
Signs of RBF include fever, vomiting, joint pain or swelling, and skin rashes. If recognized in its early stages, RBF can be treated with antibiotics.
Bubonic Plague
Yes, you read that right. While the plague is nowhere near as common as it was in the 1300s, it’s still a real threat that should not be taken lightly. It is spread by a bite from an infected rodent flea and can cause swollen lymph nodes, fever & chills, and severe infection if untreated. There was a reported case of the Bubonic Plague in 2012 when a girl from Colorado was infected during her camping trip.
So, are rats dangerous? Yes, but not because of their less appealing looks, but rather because of the potential diseases they may be carrying.
How to Safely Clean Up Rodent Droppings
Cleaning rodent droppings might seem like a simple task, but in reality, it’s far from it. We highly recommend not going anywhere near rodent droppings without adequate protective gear. Furthermore, it’s crucial to act quickly and remove the droppings from your property and reduce the chances of exposure to airborne pathogens.
❌ Never:
- Vacuum or sweep dried droppings
- Touch rodent waste without protective gloves
- Ignore rodent droppings, assuming they are harmless
✅ Do:
- Use an EPA-approved disinfectant
- Wear PPE (gloves, mask, goggles)
- Call a professional biohazard remediation company
Warning: Rodent droppings aren’t just a mess—they are a serious health hazard. Don’t risk exposure. Let experts handle the cleanup.
Get Professional Rodent Dropping Cleanup
Mouse and rat infestations pose serious health risks—even after the rodents are gone. If you have rodent droppings in your home, don’t take chances. Protect yourself and your family with professional decontamination. The best course of action is to hire a professional decontamination company that is experienced at handling these types of situations quickly and efficiently.
Spaulding Decon is one of the most trusted names in the business and has an impressive track record to prove it. Our highly trained staff members use professional tools and techniques to get the job done and rid you of your problems. Call us as soon as possible if you suspect you have rodent droppings on your property.
Facing a rodent problem? Our emergency response team is available 24/7. Call us now!
Different surfaces require different cleaning methods. While hard surfaces can be disinfected, soft fabrics like carpets and clothing trap bacteria and viruses. Learn how to properly clean mouse droppings from fabric or let professionals handle the job safely.
Rodent Droppings in Your Home?
Here are a few other resources to help you with the rodent droppings and their associated risks.
