Researchers at three universities indicate the number of people reporting rat sightings has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic began. Citing past examples, researchers share that rat populations increase after natural catastrophes.
Source: Dairy Herd Management, August 31, 2020. Link. The two most common rats found in the United States are Norway and Black rats. Both species tend to have a small range in which they move, typically about 30 meters squared, according to Lee. Rats are cover and food, and generally want little to do with humans. Rats prefer to feed in and around homes, so when they find access to meat, fish, vegetables and grains, they tend to stay.
INSIGHTS: For animal health pros, increasing rat numbers are a concern when visiting with animal owners from farms, acreages, the suburbs and urban areas. Potential interactions with rats and other species carrying zoonoses is an important consideration in an animal’s or person’s history.
Asking a question about animal contact is free and takes a few seconds” – Scott Weese, DVM
Also see: Rat bite fever in the U.S., WormsandGerms Blog, August 27, 2020. Link.
Rat bite fever is a bacterial infection spread by rats. The causative agent of RBF is an obscure bacterium called Streptobacillus moniliformis, which lives in the mouth of most healthy rats.
Rat bite fever won’t jump to mind for most physicians examining a child with a fever and rash, but if they ask about animal contact or the parent mentions it, there’s a good chance the diagnosis will be made. If not, it’s very unlikely.