Rodent borne zoonoses

Question 1

why do rats and mice serve as effective disease vectors?

Answer 1

rodents are a synanthropic species and important human competitors for food
- capable intermediary b/w humans and env
- continuously expand their range

Question 2

Bacterial Rodent borne zoonoses of global importance (5)

Answer 2

plague
tularemia
leptospirosis
murine typhus

Question 3

plague comes from

Answer 3

Yersinia pestis (gram -)

Question 4

what is the reservoir species for plague?

Answer 4

rodents

Question 5

where is plague most common in the US

Answer 5

mountain West

Question 6

symptoms of plague in people

Answer 6

Bubonic form: enlarged lymph nodes
Pneumonic: severe, acute pneumonia
Septicemic form: severe fever, chills, malaise

rodents - rarely symptomatic but can die off

Question 7

plague modes of transmission

Answer 7

fleas (Xenopsylla spp.)
aerosolization
direct transmission (through carcass handling)

Question 8

plague prevention

Answer 8

avoid contact w/ reservoir species and fleas
recognize suspect cases and have adequate PPE

Question 9

Tularemia is caused by what organism

Answer 9

Francisella tularensis - gram (-)

Question 10

tularemia transmission

Answer 10

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

Question 11

where is tularemia most often found in the US

Answer 11

midwest river valleys

Question 12

symptoms of tularemia in people

Answer 12

glandular form: enlarged lymph nodes
pneumonic: severe acute pneumonia
Typhoidal: severe fever, chills, malasia

rodents: rarely symptomatic

Question 13

prevention of tularemia

Answer 13

avoid contact w/ small mammals
limit exposure to carcasses w/ PPE
minimize exposure to insect vectors in endemic areas

Question 13

Leptospirosis is caused by what organism

Answer 13

Leptospira interrogans (gram neg)

Question 14

Rodents serve as carriers for Leptospirosis and transmit it via_____

Answer 14

urine

Question 15

symptoms of lepto in people

Answer 15

flu like
renal disease - back pain, polyuria
hepatic disease - jaundice

rodents: asymptomatic

Question 16

where is lepto seen mostly

Answer 16

tropical areas, near bodies of water in US

Question 17

mode of transmission of lepto to people

Answer 17

direct contact w/ urine or urine contaminated water sources

Question 18

prevention of lepto

Answer 18

avoid contact with urine from suspected cases
treat water when in endemic areas
canine Vxs

Question 19

What organism does Murine typhus come from

Answer 19

Rickettsia typhi
rodents are reservoirs, transmitted by fleas

Question 20

where are most cases of murine typhus seen in US

Answer 20

texas, CA, hawaii

Question 21

symptoms of murine typhus in people

Answer 21

flu like, rash

Question 22

mode of transmission of murine typhus

Answer 22

fleas feeding on both reservoir species and humans

Question 23

prevention of murine typhus

Answer 23

adequate hygiene
rodent and flea control

Question 24

Hantavirus comes from what family

Answer 24

Bunyaviridae
30-50% mortality rate

Question 25

where are most cases of hantavirus

Answer 25

mountain west

Question 26

hantavirus symptoms

Answer 26

severe flu like symptoms
respiratory distress

Question 27

mode of transmission for hantavirus

Answer 27

aerosolization (ex cleaning of rodent urine and feces)

Question 28

hantavirus prevention

Answer 28

rodent control
avoid aerosolization of rodent droppings

Question 29

Mpox comes from what class of organisms

Answer 29

Poxviridae

Question 30

where are most cases of Mpox

Answer 30

prior to 2022 nearly all were in West Africa esp Nigeria

Question 31

symptoms of Mpox in humans and rodents

Answer 31

pox lesions on hands and genitals
flu like

rodents: oculonasal discharge, pox lesions

Question 32

Mpox mode of transmission

Answer 32

handling affected rodents/primates
close contact

Question 33

Mpox prevention

Answer 33

smallpox vaccine
rodent control

Question 34

integrated pest management

Answer 34

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

Question 35

integrated pest management for rodents

Answer 35

eliminate potential food sources
eliminate routes of entry
traps, baits, natural predators
take precautions when cleaning rodent-infested dwellings

Question 36

integrated pest management for insects (mosquitoes, ticks, fleas)

Answer 36

remove potential breeding grounds
biological control
proper clothing
avoid prime biting times
wear DEET repellant
flea/tick preventatives