Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome

Rodents, mostly deer mice and packrats, can spread the very dangerous Hantavirus. The full name of this disease is Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, which is a big name for a very scary, but rare illness spread by small pests. About a third of the people who caught Hantavirus have died. However this is a rare disease, with only 318 known cases between 1993 and 2002. Most cases have been in Southwestern states. The urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents contain this virus. Humans can catch the illness if they breathe in particles of the droppings, saliva, or urine that are in the air. They can also catch Hantavirus if they touch or are bitten by infected animals.

Rats are also responsible for spreading Bubonic plague, also known as the "Black Death." Although fleas are responsible for infecting humans, —they get it from the rats!