Leptospirosis, otherwise called Weil's Disease,which is transmitted to humans through
urine of infected rats. It's considered the most common zoonosis in the world. Also known
as Swamp Fever or Mud Fever, the organism enters the body when mucous membranes or abraded
skin comes incontact with contaminated environmental sources. Groups at increased risk are
certain occupational groups, recreation seekers, and urban dwellers. Leptospirosis may be
spread epidemically in large populations in conditions of widespread flooding, as occurred
in Nicaragua in 1995, but human disease mainly is related to occupation, which explains
its particular prevalence in male adults. Infection has occurred after animal and rodent
bites, after contact with abortion products of infected animals, and after ingestion of
contaminated food and water. To prevent Leptospirosis, reduce contact with fresh water and
mud that might be contaminated with urine of infected animals.
Typhoid,
is a life-threatening febrile illness caused by the bacterium Salmonella enterica Typhi.
This disease is easily related with rats as transmitters. An estimated 16 million cases of
Typhoid fever and 600,000 deaths related to it occur worldwide each year. An estimate of
about 2.6 cases were reported to the centers for Disease Control and Prevention per 1
million U.S. residents traveling during the period of '92 - '95. Anyone can get typhoid
fever but the greatest risk exists to travelers visiting countries where the disease is
common. Most of the cases are acquired during foreign travel to underdeveloped countries.
However, in New York an average of 30-50 cases are reported per year. The symptoms we find
as consequence of this disease include fever, headache, constipation or diarrhea,
rose-colored spots on the trunk and an enlarged spleen and liver. Fatalities are less than
1 percent with antibiotic treatment.
Parasites: caused by rodents include, ringworm, roundworm, tapeworm, ticks and fleas.
Ringworm is a contagious fungus infection that can affect the scalp, the body
(particularly the groin), the feet, and the nails. Despite its
name, it has nothing to do with worms. The name comes from the
characteristic red ring that can appear on an infected person's skin.
It is also called Tinea. Contracted by direct
skin-to-skin contact with an infected carrier. In regards of Roundworms, as with other
parasitic diseases, this kind of infections are more common in warm climates than in
cooler, temperate areas. Many roundworm parasitic diseases result from human carelessness
and a lack of appropriate personal hygiene and sanitation measures. Most
roundworms or their eggs are found in the soil and can be picked up on the hands and
transferred to the mouth or can enter through the skin. Tapeworm, known as the
Adult Dipylidium Caninum lives in the small intestine of the dog or cat. It is hooked onto
the instestinal wall by a structure called a rostellum which is like a hat with hooks on
it. Don't get confused, although tapeworms might looks really small, the entire worm is
usually 6 inches or more. About ticks and fleas, we know we don't want them near us, but we know tht all year round they
attack our cats and dogs. They like to eat...blood! And a female can lay about 25 eggs a
day and up to 800 eggs during her lifetime. Fleas can jump as much as seven-eight inch
vertically and fourteen to sixteen inches horizontally. Because of their fast
ability to reproduce, getting rid of them may seem like mission impossible. However, there
are several precautionary steps which can help control these unwelcome critters.
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