Home  /  Rodents  /  Rats  /  Rat Health Problems 

Rat Health Problems

Rat bites and scratches can result in disease and rat-bite fever. Their urine is a possible source of leptospirosis, which can also be contracted through handling or inhalation of scat.

Rat parasites also carry and transmit diseases. The Oriental rat flea is a source of bubonic, pneumonic and septicemic plague. Other fleas, mites and nematodes may also spread murine typhus, scrub typhus, rickettsialpox and trichinosis.

Transmission of disease via parasite occurs most commonly when the host rat dies. Parasites leave the decaying body in search of new, live prey. As rats reside most commonly in close proximity to human homes, it is highly likely that parasites will target humans as potential hosts. 

Rat Diseases

Rat In My Kitchen