Public health importance
Rat bite: Bites inflicted by rats can cause serious injuries to the
victims. Infants, children and adults may be exposed to the risk of
rat- bite,
Rat - bite fever: This is a disease caused by a spirochete organism
which may be harbored in the mouth, particularly on the gum of rats.
The organism enters through wounds inflicted by the rat - bite.
The organism does not affect the rodent; those diseases which are
transmitted indirectly by foods or water contaminated by the rat’s
excreta and urine- e.g. Salmonellosis, Trichinosis, Leptospirosis