Is it a big deal if rat blood touches the skin?

There are many microorganisms on animals' bodies, so if you are accidentally bitten or scratched by an animal, you must get vaccinated in time, otherwise infection problems will occur. Rats are the hosts of the plague, so there are many bacteria in their bodies that can cause disease. People with weak immunity should never come into contact with rats or eat food that has been gnawed by rats. So if rat blood accidentally comes into contact with the skin, do you need to get vaccinated?

mouse

It is the reservoir host and main source of infection for many infectious disease pathogens, such as plague, hemorrhagic fever, leptospirosis, etc., and is extremely easy to infect humans.

In particular, hemorrhagic fever is an important infectious disease that endangers human health.

What is hemorrhagic fever

Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, also known as hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, is caused by Hantavirus. Rats are the main source of infection and the disease can be transmitted through their blood, saliva, urine, feces, etc.

If you are accidentally infected by a mouse carrying the virus, you will experience clinical symptoms such as fever, bleeding, shock, and kidney damage:

Fever (38-40°C);

Three pains (headache, back pain, orbital pain);

Nausea, vomiting, chest tightness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint pain all over the body;

Skin and mucous membrane triple redness (redness of face, neck and upper chest);

Conjunctival congestion, severe cases may make one look like being drunk;

Bleeding spots or ecchymoses of varying sizes appear on the oral mucosa, chest, back, and armpits, or bleeding spots that appear as cords or scratches;

After the fever subsides, the symptoms become worse, and symptoms such as hypotension, shock, oliguria, anuria and severe bleeding may appear.

The disease will occur in 5 to 46 days and is very dangerous. Even if it is cured, it will require strict rest for at least 1 to 3 months.

Don’t think it’s far away from our lives. In fact, there are many opportunities for people to be infected in life.

How is hemorrhagic fever transmitted?

1. Contact transmission

The most common routes of transmission are direct contact with rats, being bitten by rats, or coming into contact with rat excrement or secretions.

Once mice carry the Hantavirus and come into direct contact with damaged human skin, mucous membranes, etc., they may cause infection.

2. Digestive tract transmission

That is, food, water, etc. have been contaminated by rats carrying the Hantavirus.

For example, many people at home like to expose and pile up the ingredients directly, or spread the leftovers directly on the table. Once these food and water sources are contaminated by sick rats, they can also become sources of infection.

3. Respiratory transmission

It usually appears in places with poor living environments and rampant rat infestations. The excrement produced by rats carrying the Hantavirus can pollute the ambient air, form aerosol particles, and cause human infection through the respiratory tract.

Therefore, it is very important to eliminate rats in the living environment!

4. Insect-borne transmission

Mites that live on the surface of mice can also cause infection if they come into contact with humans and bite them.

Especially in the wild environment, many people like to sit or lie on the grass. These places are likely to be the activity range of mice, which are easy to retain secretions and various parasites.

Therefore, when playing outdoors, it is best not to get too close to nature, and be sure to clean up after returning home!

5. Mother-to-child transmission

That is, when a pregnant woman suffers from hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, the fetus may be infected through the placenta. This situation is relatively rare.

Now think of the rats running rampant on the road, do you feel chilly?

There are rats in the living place, how to prevent and control them?

01Vaccination

You can get free hemorrhagic fever vaccine at the local CDC before the epidemic season. Vaccination against hemorrhagic fever is the most effective means of preventing epidemic hemorrhagic fever.

02Dermatology and rodent control

Treat sanitary blind spots and the environment around residential areas;

Block rat holes, cover doors and door frames that are easily bitten by rats with iron sheets, and install iron mesh at ventilation holes;

Add necessary rodent control facilities (rat cages, mouse traps, sticky mouse boards), and it is best to set up a special rodent control area;

Dead rats must be collected and buried deep.

03Clean environment

Maintain good environmental hygiene, keep the room dry and ventilated, clean up domestic garbage on the same day, place outdoor items on a mat, and remove all debris.

04Food Hygiene

Do a good job in food hygiene, tableware disinfection and food preservation. Food should be stored in tight and seamless containers and should not be exposed or stacked. Leftovers must be heated or steamed before they can be eaten.

05 Pay attention to protection

Do not touch mice or their excrement directly with your hands. Even if the mouse is dead, do not touch the dead mouse directly with your hands.

Wash your hands and disinfect them immediately if you find rat droppings;

When going out, do not sit or lie on the grass. Wear socks and tie your trouser legs and cuffs tightly to prevent bites from mites.

Spring is the season when rats appear and when hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is most prevalent. Everyone must be extra careful!