Should I Worry About Disease Now That I Have a Few Mice?

There is a Mouse in this House
There is a Mouse in this House

Seeing a few mice running around your building can be an alarming sight. In addition to leaving droppings around and getting into any food you have, these pests can also carry infectious diseases.

If you’ve seen mice around, should you hire a NYC rodent control service firm? Keep in mind that mice can transmit disease to humans through direct or indirect contact. Direct contact includes being bitten, accidentally touching droppings or touching mice that are alive or dead. Indirect contact occurs when mites or fleas that feed on infected mice bite humans. Some of the infectious diseases that mice can spread include the following:

  • Hantavirus: White-footed and deer mice spread this disease, which can be fatal when it leads to respiratory failure.
  • Plague: Infected fleas from rodents spread plague, which can result in septic shock or severe pneumonia.
  • Tularemia: Bites from infected ticks or deer flies found on rodents can lead to tularemia, which can be life-threatening in some cases.
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis: Common house mice can spread this disease, which can cause neurological damage or death.

Mice can also be a health hazard if they trigger allergic reactions or spread salmonella and other food-borne illnesses that can cause serious health problems.

If you have a mouse problem in your building, don’t put your tenants or employees at risk. Contact Stern Environmental Group for safe and reliable NYC rodent control services.