Can Rats Cause Pneumonia

Mice housed with rats will become infected with S moniliformis and develop fatal septicemia characterized by polyarthritis, cervical lymphadenitis, pneumonia, and splenomegaly. Respiratory disease caused by infectious agents is the most common health problem in rats.

Can rats spread respiratory infections to humans?

All rodents, pet and wild, can carry bacteria and viruses that cause infections in people. Rodent infections that can transmit to humans include leptospirosis, hantavirus, rat bite fever and a type of meningitis caused by a virus called lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).

Is rat pneumonia contagious?

Respiratory infections in rats can be highly contagious to other rats. The bacterial and viral causes for these types of respiratory infections are transmitted through contact with contaminated feces, urine, and bedding material.