Cilandak residents are infected with a zoonotic disease which is suspected to be a zoonotic disease from rat. Gathering some information, one resident from RT 8 and one resident from RT 10 experienced symptoms such as fever, red rash on the hands and weakness.
Zoonoses themselves mean diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans or vice versa. When referring to rats or rat zoonotic diseases, it means the disease is caused by parasitic microorganisms in mice.
What are the zoonotic diseases of rats?
1. Leptospirosis
Flood terror is usually accompanied by leptospirosis terror. This disease is caused by bacteria Leptospira interrogans It is spread through the urine or blood of an infected animal. Rats are one of the animals that can transmit bacteria Leptospira interrogans.
Bacteria can infect the human body through contact with urine or animal blood and then the bacteria will enter through the skin or mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and mouth.
Leptospirosis is indicated by symptoms such as chills, cough, diarrhea, sudden headache, high fever, muscle aches, loss of appetite, red eyes and irritation, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and skin rashes.
2. Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis or toxo disease is known as feline zoonosis. Whereas indirectly rats and other rodents also play a role in the transmission of this disease.
As reported by the Airlangga University page, cats are infected with parasites Toxoplasma gondii of prey species including rats.
Infected cats excrete oocysts or the products of sexual reproduction of protozoa in the cat’s body through their feces. If there are farm animals that eat oocysts from their environment, these oocysts will form tissue cysts in the meat and organs of the animal.
Therefore, people are strongly advised to process food properly to kill all kinds of disease-causing parasites.
3. Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare disease. The disease is caused by a hantavirus.
As quoted from the Rare Disease page, HPS transmission occurs when direct or indirect contact (via the air) with saliva or rodent waste products that carry the virus. The most common rodent carrying hantavirus is the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus).
If infected, people will experience early symptoms, including fever, muscle aches, headache, cough, difficulty breathing. Symptoms will develop quickly and severe ranging from abnormal blood pressure, shock to respiratory failure.
4. Q fever
Q fever is a disease caused by bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Bacteria generally infect farm animals such as goats, sheep and cattle.
The bacteria can be found in animal placenta, urine, feces and milk. This zoonosis can be transmitted to humans if there are contaminated and inhaled particles such as feces, urine, milk, and placenta.
Although it is commonly found in farm animals, several studies indicate the potential for transmission from rodents including rats. If infected, some people do not get sick, but there are also some who experience flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, weakness and muscle aches.
5. Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis
Bacteria Salmonella and Campylobacter are generally considered to be pathogenic bacteria of food origin. However, wild mice and house mice are thought to be able to reproduce and transmit bacteria in animals and food.
Both are indirectly also part of the zoonotic disease of mice. If food products are not cooked properly, bacteria will infect humans.
(chs)
–
