Selected Zoonotic Diseases in Rodents

Rodents, representing 43% of mammalian species, play a pivotal role in the transmission of zoonotic diseases, serving as reservoirs for pathogens including viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and helminths. Over 217 rodent species are reservoirs for 66 zoonotic diseases, such as salmonellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, hantavirus, and Lassa fever. Prominent examples include Yersinia pestis (plague) and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease). Rodents transmit pathogens directly via bites or excreta and indirectly through food, water contamination, or vector organisms like fleas. Urbanization, migration, and habitat fragmentation amplify human-rodent interactions, increasing zoonotic risks. Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus, the most studied species, are primary carriers of zoonotic pathogens, harboring numerous helminths and bacteria. Brown rats dominate most of Europe, while black rats are confined to coastal areas and islands. Resistance to rodenticides and inefficient control measures exacerbate pathogen spread. Diseases like leptospirosis and hantavirus are resurging in Europe, highlighting the urgency for effective rodent control. Zoonotic pathogens include bacterial agents like Yersinia pestis and Leptospira spp., viral pathogens like hanta virus and Kyasanur Forest Disease virus, and parasitic agents such as Toxoplasma gondii. Rodents acquire pathogens via “parasite spillback” in new habitats, amplifying disease transmission risks. Effective control strategies include rodent-proof facilities, rodenticides, and antifertility agents. The global distribution and adaptability of rodents underline their central role in zoonotic disease emergence, necessitating intensified research and control measures to mitigate their impact on public health.