Rodent borne zoonoses Flashcards
why do rats and mice serve as effective disease vectors?
rodents are a synanthropic species and important human competitors for food
- capable intermediary b/w humans and env
- continuously expand their range
Bacterial Rodent borne zoonoses of global importance (5)
plague
tularemia
leptospirosis
murine typhus
plague comes from
Yersinia pestis (gram -)
what is the reservoir species for plague?
rodents
where is plague most common in the US
mountain West
symptoms of plague in people
Bubonic form: enlarged lymph nodes
Pneumonic: severe, acute pneumonia
Septicemic form: severe fever, chills, malaise
rodents - rarely symptomatic but can die off
plague modes of transmission
fleas (Xenopsylla spp.)
aerosolization
direct transmission (through carcass handling)
plague prevention
avoid contact w/ reservoir species and fleas
recognize suspect cases and have adequate PPE
Tularemia is caused by what organism
Francisella tularensis - gram (-)
tularemia transmission
rodents can transmit directly to humans via contact and bodily fluids or mechanical transmission via insects
direct contact w/ small rodents serving as carriers or through ticks or biting flies w/ rodent as reservoir
aerosolization of bacteria via mowing over carcass
where is tularemia most often found in the US
midwest river valleys
symptoms of tularemia in people
glandular form: enlarged lymph nodes
pneumonic: severe acute pneumonia
Typhoidal: severe fever, chills, malasia
rodents: rarely symptomatic
prevention of tularemia
avoid contact w/ small mammals
limit exposure to carcasses w/ PPE
minimize exposure to insect vectors in endemic areas
Leptospirosis is caused by what organism
Leptospira interrogans (gram neg)
Rodents serve as carriers for Leptospirosis and transmit it via_____
urine
symptoms of lepto in people
flu like
renal disease - back pain, polyuria
hepatic disease - jaundice
rodents: asymptomatic
where is lepto seen mostly
tropical areas, near bodies of water in US
mode of transmission of lepto to people
direct contact w/ urine or urine contaminated water sources
prevention of lepto
avoid contact with urine from suspected cases
treat water when in endemic areas
canine Vxs
What organism does Murine typhus come from
Rickettsia typhi
rodents are reservoirs, transmitted by fleas
where are most cases of murine typhus seen in US
texas, CA, hawaii
symptoms of murine typhus in people
flu like, rash
mode of transmission of murine typhus
fleas feeding on both reservoir species and humans
prevention of murine typhus
adequate hygiene
rodent and flea control
Hantavirus comes from what family
Bunyaviridae
30-50% mortality rate
where are most cases of hantavirus
mountain west
hantavirus symptoms
severe flu like symptoms
respiratory distress
mode of transmission for hantavirus
aerosolization (ex cleaning of rodent urine and feces)
hantavirus prevention
rodent control
avoid aerosolization of rodent droppings
Mpox comes from what class of organisms
Poxviridae
where are most cases of Mpox
prior to 2022 nearly all were in West Africa esp Nigeria
symptoms of Mpox in humans and rodents
pox lesions on hands and genitals
flu like
rodents: oculonasal discharge, pox lesions
Mpox mode of transmission
handling affected rodents/primates
close contact
Mpox prevention
smallpox vaccine
rodent control
integrated pest management
categorize problems
set action plans
identify specific problem species
understand lifecycle/behavior of problem species
monitor for evidence of those species
seek solutions that focus on preventing problems
integrated pest management for rodents
eliminate potential food sources
eliminate routes of entry
traps, baits, natural predators
take precautions when cleaning rodent-infested dwellings
integrated pest management for insects (mosquitoes, ticks, fleas)
remove potential breeding grounds
biological control
proper clothing
avoid prime biting times
wear DEET repellant
flea/tick preventatives
