Overview of Rodent-borne Infectious Diseases
Definition
Diseases transmitted through contact with or inhalation of excreta from rodents infected with viruses or bacteria, or through contaminated environments. Representative diseases include hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and leptospirosis.
Cause
- Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is transmitted by bites from rodents infected with hantavirus, or through inhalation of dried rodent excreta particles suspended in the air, as well as exposure through wounds.
- Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is transmitted by bites from rodents infected with hantavirus, or through inhalation of dried rodent excreta particles suspended in the air, as well as exposure through wounds.
Major symptoms
- Early symptoms of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome include fever, muscle pain, and chills, which may progress to acute renal failure, hypotension, and hemorrhage.
- Main symptoms of leptospirosis range from mild cold-like symptoms to severe Weil’s disease (jaundice, renal failure, hemorrhage).
Current Status of Occurrence
| Infectious Disease | Year | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
| Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome | 384 | 575 | 631 | 433 | 399 | 270 | 310 | 302 | 452 | 373 |
| Leptospirosis | 104 | 117 | 103 | 118 | 138 | 114 | 144 | 125 | 59 | 70 |
| Epidemic typhus | 15 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 21 | 60 |
| Typhus fever | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
Prevention Guidelines
Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
- Avoid going to mountains or grassy fields in endemic areas (especially from October to December).
- Avoid contact with rats and minimize exposure to rodent excreta and saliva.
- Control rodent population and prevent their habitation in the surrounding environment.
- After outdoor activities, wash clothes immediately and take a shower or bath upon returning home.
- For high-risk groups, vaccination (3 doses) is recommended: 2 primary doses at 1-month intervals, followed by a booster dose 12 months later.
Leptospirosis
- Do not swim in potentially contaminated water, such as stagnant water, and wear waterproof protective clothing during work to protect the skin.
- Protect wound areas with waterproof bandages.
- If exposed to water contaminated with Leptospira bacteria, seek medical care promptly if fever develops within a few days.