According to a global survey, most reservoirs of rodent-borne illnesses live solely or periodically in or near human settlements, have substantial variations in their numbers, and/or are sought for meat or fur.
Washington: According to a worldwide assessment, most reservoirs of rodent-borne illnesses tend to live solely or infrequently in or near human houses and exhibit considerable swings in their numbers.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of better understanding the transmission channels of animal-borne illnesses. The study shows how the interaction of natural and human-caused variables influences the likelihood of virus transfer from animals to people.
The “fast life” of rodents, with adolescent maturation at a young age, several litters per year, and many young per litter, explains why rodents are valuable infection reservoirs. But why do rodent-borne diseases affect humans?
“Most rodents that carry zoonotic infections, or pathogens that pass from animals to people, have high population fluctuations, go indoors at least periodically, or are sought for meat or fur. Our findings were consistent across pathogen categories, including viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. And with transmission modes such as intermediate, vector involvement, non-close and close contact, close contact including inhalation of contaminated aerosols, “says Frauke Ecke, project leader and Professor at University of Helsinki, Finland and senior lecturer at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
A global analysis of 436 rodent species was conducted. Researchers from SLU, the University of Helsinki, and the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in the United States conducted a worldwide quantitative investigation using data from research publications and databases in the study published in Nature Communications. The study comprises 436 rodent species, 282 of which are recognised zoonotic disease reservoirs. The researchers investigated the relationship between rodent habitat selection, population fluctuations, human rodent hunting, and the role of rodents as reservoirs.
“It’s astonishing how similar the results are across geographies, disease systems, and rodent species,” adds co-author Rick Ostfeld.
Some parts of the world are more vulnerable to rodent-borne zoonoses.
Furthermore, the researchers have identified areas where the danger of rodent-borne illness transmission between rats and people is significant. Large swaths of Europe, particularly central and northern Europe, as well as a broad swath spanning from eastern Europe to eastern Asia, eastern China, sections of South America, south-east Australia, and eastern areas of North America, are all at risk.
“There is a substantial possibility that a rodent encountered in these areas may carry zoonotic infections,” Ecke explains.
Pathogen-carrying rodents include the European bank vole, the North American deer mouse, and the South American Azara’s Grass Mouse. These animals display substantial population swings and can also go inside.
“Large population swings, along with disruption of the rodents’ native environment, may explain why rats relocate nearer and into human residences. This migratory pattern is typical of so-called generalists, which are species that can thrive in a variety of habitats. These generalists are the most significant pathogen reservoirs “Ecke argues.
A new study explains why people become infected with rodent-borne illnesses.
