Spirochetal jaundice is a dangerous
rat disease transmissible to man. A
high percentage of rats have been found
infected where outbreaks have occurred.
Rat-bite fever is transmitted to man
by the bite of the rat. Relatively few
cases have been reported in the United
States, but many rats carry the organism
in the saliva, and infection is always
possible following the bite of a rat.
Food poisoning caused by infection
with Salmonella organisms may be
caused by rats. These organisms are of
animal origin and are frequently found
in rats which transmit them to human
food by their droppings.