The rodent-borne diseases that matter most in Florida are leptospirosis, spread through the urine of infected animals including rodents; hantavirus, carried by certain wild rodents including cotton rats and rice rats in the Southeast; and rat-bite fever, spread through bites, scratches and contact with rodent saliva or urine. CDC says diseases mainly spread from rodents to people when they breathe in contaminated air, which is why careful cleanup matters as much as getting rid of the rodents.
This is general information, not medical advice. If you are sick after rodent exposure, see a doctor and mention the exposure.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection. CDC says the bacteria spread through the urine of infected livestock, pets, rodents, marine mammals and wild animals, and can survive in contaminated soil or water for weeks to months. People get infected through contact with that water or soil.
Florida's Department of Health says people can get it from water or soil carrying urine from infected animals, especially after hurricanes, flooding or heavy rainfall, and from eating or drinking contaminated food or water. CDC notes cases can rise after hurricanes or flooding and that the disease is most common in tropical and subtropical regions.
Symptoms can include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice, red eyes and diarrhea, and some people have no symptoms. CDC gives an incubation period of usually 5 to 14 days, with a range of 2 to 30. Without treatment it can damage the kidneys or liver. It is treated with antibiotics, so tell your doctor about any flood or rodent exposure.
Hantavirus
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome is rare but serious. CDC's guidance lists the rodent hosts in the United States. In the Southeast, those include the cotton rat, which carries Black Creek Canal virus, and the rice rat, which carries Bayou virus. Both live in Florida's fields, marshes and grassy areas, including the edges of Jacksonville neighborhoods near marsh and wetlands.
The same CDC report says house mice and Norway rats aren't generally associated with the wild rodents that carry the viruses causing HPS, though it still recommends avoiding all wild and peridomestic rats and mice.
People get infected mainly by breathing in dust contaminated with infected rodents' urine, droppings or nesting material, which is why sweeping or vacuuming droppings in a closed shed or garage is risky.
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(904) 593-1371Tap to callRat-bite fever
CDC says rat-bite fever can spread through scratches, bites or contact with a rodent's saliva or urine, through contact with contaminated items like bedding and cages, and by eating or drinking contaminated food or drinks. The rodents that carry it include rats, mice, gerbils, guinea pigs and squirrels, and carriers show no signs of illness.
Anyone bitten or scratched by a rodent, wild or pet, should clean the wound and see a doctor.
How to clean up safely
CDC's steps for cleaning up rodent urine, droppings and nests:
- Open doors and windows for 30 minutes before cleaning and leave the area while it airs out.
- Wear rubber or plastic gloves.
- Spray urine and droppings with disinfectant or a bleach solution of 1.5 cups household bleach in 1 gallon of water. Let it soak 5 minutes or per the label.
- Wipe up with paper towels and throw them away.
- Don't sweep or vacuum droppings, urine or nesting material.
- For dead rodents, spray them with disinfectant, place them in a plastic bag, double-bag and seal it, and put it in a covered trash can.
For heavy infestations, CDC's hantavirus guidance recommends extra precautions and contacting the local or state health agency. In that case, consider attic cleanup or droppings cleanup by a provider with protective equipment.
Florida-specific risks
Jacksonville's climate raises a few specific concerns. Hurricanes and heavy rain flood yards, ditches and garages, and Florida's Department of Health ties leptospirosis exposure to flooding and heavy rainfall. After a storm, wear gloves and boots when cleaning flooded areas, and avoid wading in floodwater.
Sheds, boathouses and garages near marsh and fields may see cotton rats and rice rats, which CDC lists as hantavirus hosts. Air them out before cleaning.
Roof rats nest in attics, so any attic work, including HVAC service or insulation work, should start with checking for droppings.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you get sick within a few weeks of a rodent bite or scratch, cleaning up droppings or nests, or wading through floodwater. Tell them about the exposure, since many of these illnesses look like the flu at first. CDC notes leptospirosis symptoms often appear 5 to 14 days after exposure, with a range of 2 to 30 days, and that it is treated with antibiotics.
Seek care right away for trouble breathing after cleaning a shed, garage or cabin with rodent droppings, especially near fields or marsh.
Prevention
The best protection is keeping rodents out. Seal the house, remove food sources and trap any rodents already inside. See how to get rid of rats and how to get rid of mice for step-by-step plans.
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(904) 593-1371Tap to callCommon questions
Can you get sick from rat droppings?
Yes. CDC says diseases mainly spread from rodents when people breathe in contaminated air, which is why droppings shouldn't be swept or vacuumed.
Is hantavirus found in Florida?
CDC lists the cotton rat and rice rat, both found in the Southeast, as hosts of hantaviruses that cause HPS. Cases are rare.
How do people get leptospirosis in Florida?
Florida's Department of Health says through water or soil with urine from infected animals, especially after hurricanes, flooding or heavy rain.
What should I do if a rat bites me?
Clean the wound and see a doctor. CDC says rat-bite fever can spread through bites and scratches.