There are a number of diseases that can be spread by Michigan rats. They spread these diseases when they are handled, when they bite someone or when an individual is exposed to their nesting material, saliva, urine, and feces. The diseases include:

Tularemia

Rat Bite Fever

Salmonella

Plague

Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV)

Hantavirus

Tularemia
This disease is caused by the Francisella tularenis bacterium. The bacteria are mostly found in Ann Arbor hares, rabbits, and rats. A human could be infected with this disease when they handle an infected rat. Its major symptom includes fever and it is treated with antibiotics.

Rat Bite Fever
Rat-bite fever is mostly contacted when an individual is bitten by an infected rat. However, it can also be contacted by just handling the rate even without any scratch or bite in the process as well as when the bacteria is consumed maybe from rat droppings or urine in food. The symptoms include muscle pain, rash, vomiting, headaches, skin rash, and fever.

Salmonella
The salmonella bacteria can be found in the digestive tract of an infected Michigan rat. Consumption of food contaminated by the bacteria or other contacts with rodent waste can lead to contracting the bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps, fever, and chills. Drinking enough water for rehydration and rest is recommended.

Plague
Plague is a very dangerous disease that could be gotten from rats as a result of the Yersinia pestis bacteria. The bacteria can lead to pneumonic, septicemic and bubonic. The disease can be fatal. Antibiotics are taken for treatment. Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCMV) Most Ann Arbor house mice have this virus. At the first stage of infection lack of appetite, muscle aches, headache, vomiting, and nausea could occur. The second case to lead to neurological symptoms including meningoencephalitis, encephalitis or meningitis.

Hantavirus
The Hantavirus is common with rice rat, cotton rat, and white-footed rat. The disease could be fatal with symptoms that include vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is no current vaccine, cure or treatment for it.

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