Zoonoses or Zoonotic Disease Definition
Infectious diseases that can spread from animals to humans.
Symptoms of allergies and/or zoonotic rodent diseases may include:
- Allergic reactions
- Nasal discharge or congestion
- Eye itching, tearing, redness or conjunctivitis
- Yellowed skin and/or eyes
- Skin redness, rash or hives
- Coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath
- Pneumonia
- Headache
- Fever or chills
- Joint and muscle pain
- Stiff neck
- Swollen lymph glands
- Skin ulcers
- Sore throat
- Mouth sores
- Lack of appetite
- Stomach pain or cramps
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
Risk
Wild, outdoor-housed and pet-store purchased rodents are much more likely to carry infections than those raised and housed in a laboratory setting.
People become infected through direct contact, bites, indirect contact with contaminated objects, oral ingestion or inhalation of aerosolized bedding, feces, and urine.
There are increased risks to immunodeficient or immunosuppressed individuals, including pregnant women.
Allergic Reactions
Individuals with exposure to rodents and rodent housing environments may develop allergic reactions to rodents. Up to 44% percent of individuals working with rats and mice will develop an allergic reaction and 5-10 percent of individuals will develop asthma.
Infection is typically through inhalation and contact with skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Animal allergens may be present in animal dander, hair, skin, urine, saliva, serum and any contaminated feed or bedding materials. Risk factors for developing an allergic reaction include history of previous allergies to animals.
The signs of an allergic reaction are nasal discharge and congestion, conjunctivitis, tearing and eye itching, skin redness, rash or hives and lower airway symptoms (coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath). Severe anaphylactic reactions to rodent bites have been reported. Individuals with symptoms suggestive of an allergic reaction related to a workplace allergen should report their concerns to their supervisor and consult a physician.
Rat Bite Fever & Tularemia
Infection occurs through bites, scratches, direct contact with or animals and their urine, saliva and feces, or ingestion of contaminated food or water or through inhalation of dried urine or feces. Infected rodents typically exhibit no symptoms of disease or may appear lethargic.
Symptoms in people include fever, headache, swollen lymph nodes and possibly a rash or ulcer in the area of a recent bite or scratch wound. Any bites or scratches should be thoroughly washed immediately to minimize the chance of infection.
Hantavirus, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV), and Leptospirosis
People acquire the infection by inhalation, accidental ingestion and direct contact with contaminated urine or feces, or from bite wounds and abraded skin. Rodents usually do not exhibit signs of disease.
Symptoms in people include fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and fatigue. LCMV infection can cause fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, confusion, and is considered hazardous to unborn fetuses, may cause pre-term delivery or other complications in pregnant women.
Salmonella, Campylobacteria, and Giardia
People acquire the infection by contact and accidental ingestion of fecal material from infected rodents. Animals infected with these diseases may have diarrhea, but some may show no symptoms of disease.
Symptoms in people include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.
Revision History
07-2025 v.1