A study published in Scientific Reports revealed that 42.4% of rodents found in public residential developments in Singapore carry Leptospira spp., bacteria that can cause severe illness. Additionally, 35.5% are seropositive for hantavirus, a group of viruses that can lead to life-threatening respiratory diseases.

These alarming statistics underscore the urgent need to understand the risks an uncontrolled rat population poses to public health. Beyond property damage, rats are vectors for serious illnesses.

But what diseases can you get from rats?

1. Leptospirosis

One of the ways humans can get diseases from rats is through indirect transmission, particularly via their urine. Leptospirosis, often referred to as rat urine disease, is a bacterial infection spread when contaminated rat urine enters the body through cuts, scrapes, or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth). This can happen through contact with urine-contaminated water, soil, or food. 

Symptoms often resemble the flu, including fever, headaches, muscle aches, and chills. However, if left untreated, Leptospirosis can become severe, leading to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and even death. 

2. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Hantavirus is another disease that rats can transmit to humans. This viral infection is particularly concerning due to its severe nature, specifically leading to Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). 

Humans typically contract hantavirus by inhaling airborne particles contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva. This often occurs when cleaning infested areas where these contaminants have dried and become aerosolised. 

HPS symptoms can rapidly progress from flu-like illness to severe respiratory distress, potentially proving fatal. Given the airborne transmission, preventing rat infestations in homes and workplaces is paramount to mitigating this dangerous risk.

3. Rat Bite Fever

While environmental contamination poses a significant risk, direct interaction with rodents can also lead to the transmission of diseases to humans. A rat bite, for instance, can immediately expose humans to bacterial infections, most notably rat bite fever. 

This illness can develop from a scratch or bite from an infected rat or even through contact with a dead rat. Often, symptoms include fever, rash, headaches, and muscle pain.

At the same time, it's crucial to understand that even seemingly non-aggressive rats can bite defensively when threatened, cornered, or surprised. Any rat bite requires immediate medical attention to prevent severe complications.

Why Sing Kong Environmental's Smart Rodent Trapper is Crucial for Disease Prevention

To prevent such diseases, it’s important to prevent human exposure to rats and their contaminants. Unfortunately, traditional rodent control methods, such as toxic baits (rat poison) or inefficient snap traps (rat killer), often fall short and introduce additional risks. 

Toxic baits pose dangers to pets, children, and the environment while leaving unseen carcasses that continue to spread pathogens. Meanwhile, traditional traps can be messy and inhumane, and their failure to prevent alarm pheromones can even make infestations harder to control in the long term.

This is where Sing Kong Environmental's Smart Rodent Trapper offers a superior, eco-friendly approach to rodent control and disease prevention. Its key features directly address the health risks posed by rats:

• Intelligent Sensing: This rat trapper has built-in sensors that ensure precise rodent detection, activating only when a rat is present. This intelligent system minimises false triggers and wasted efforts, ensuring efficient, targeted removal of the pest.
• Instant Capture: The rapid capture mechanism immediately isolates the rat from your environment. This swift action significantly reduces the risk of direct exposure to the infected animal and prevents further contamination from rat droppings in your living or working spaces.
• Hygienic and Odourless Disposal: With an airtight collection barrel, there is no direct contact with messy rat poop or rat droppings, drastically reducing the risk of pathogen transmission and ensuring a clean environment.
• Chemical-Free and Safe for All: Employing all-natural, non-toxic baits ensures safety for children, pets, and the environment, directly mitigating the dangers associated with harmful chemicals.
• 24/7 Uninterrupted Operation: Continuous capture helps manage the rat population effectively and consistently, thereby reducing the overall risk of disease transmission.

Proactive rodent control is crucial for safeguarding health and maintaining a safe environment in Singapore. For an efficient and hygienic mouse trap in Singapore, consider Sing Kong Environmental's Smart Rodent Trapper.