Jayco254 wrote:

I usually dump the trapped mouse into an empty coffe can the heave it into the woods behind the house. I wash my hands but I don't wear cloths. I believe in giving my immune system a chance to strenghen itself by letting it have a few germs to fight now and then.

Quote:

The following is a list of known and potential rat or mouse zoonosis.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) is an arenavirus commonly associated with hamsters, but does infect mice. LCM is rare in laboratory animal facilities, more common in wild. Tranmission to humans is through contact with tissues including tumor, feces, urine, or aerosolization of any one of these. Disease in humans is generally flu-like symptoms that range from mild to severe.

Leptospirosis

A bacterium found in many animals, including laboratory rodents. Leptospires are shed in the urine of infected animals. Direct contact with urine or tissues via skin abrasions contact with mucous membranes has been reported. Transmission can also occur through inhalation of infectious droplet aerosols by ingestion. Disease in humans is flu-like symptoms generally mild to severe.

Hantavirus Infection

Hantavirus occurs among wild rodent populations in certain portions of the world. Rats and mice have been implicated in outbreaks of the disease. A Hantavirus infection from rats has occurred in laboratory animal facility workers. Rodents shed the virus in their respiratory secretions, saliva, urine and feces. Transmission to humans is via inhalation of infectious aerosols. The form of the disease that has been documented after laboratory-animal exposure is characterized by fever, headache, myalgia and petechiae and other hemmorhagic symptoms including anemia and gastrointestinal bleeding.

Other Bacterial Diseases

There are several other bacterial diseases that are possibly, though rarely spread through working with rodents. These include Yersinia, and Leptospirosis. Good handwashing and appropriate use of gloves are adequate measures to protect from these diseases.

BobsYourUncle wrote:

I don't get all dialed up about things like mice.

I take the trap in my bare hands, flip it open with my left thumb, pick up the mouse by the tail with my right thumb and finger, drop it in the toilet, wash my hands with soap, reload trap with bait, set back in place and then wash my hands again.

And I never give it a second thought.

Maybe I'll catch some weird rare disease but I rather doubt it....

I personally think way too many people get way too many ideas about all the what if's.

dturm wrote:



Hantavirus deaths at Yosemite National Park.

resmas wrote:

I'm more surprised that ya'll flush mice down the toilet! Don't you ever get concerned it might clog a pipe? I've flushed expired pet fish, but I never worried because they kinda disentigrate easily. But a mouse....