Abstract

Rodents as reservoirs and carriers of different zoonotic diseases

Authors: Tariq Jamil, Fakiha Kalim, Muhammad Tahir Aleem, Muhammad Mohsin, Fazle Hadi, Kaynat Ali, Ayesha Mehmood, Qamar Iqbal, Khadija Younas, Wael Ennab, Fawze Alnadari, Dyaaaldin Abdalmegeed, Abdulmumin Baba Amin, Syed Muneeb Ur Rehman, Adil Ijaz and Jazib Hussain

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.71081/cvj/2022.001

Abstract
Zoonotic diseases have a large share among all infectious diseases. The animals can be a source of the spread of a large variety of pathogens to humans leading to morbidities and mortalities. Rodents are commonly found in mammals all over the world. A large number of rodents live in close association with humans having a competitive symbiosis for food and shelter. Rodents can be a source of transfer of deadly viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases to humans. Among viruses, the most important nowadays is the coronaviruses which are responsible for many diseases, including COVID-19. They are spread by a variety of animals, and it is thought that wild rodents can also be a carrier. Rodents can act as reservoir hosts of the Borellia burdogferi, Leptospira, Ehrlichia, and many other bacteria, being a potential source of infection in humans. Rodents can also transfer the protozoa like Babesia and Leishmania, emphasizing their role in the spread of parasitic diseases. In short, rodents can spread a variety of infectious diseases in humans and animals besides their role as a competitor for food and shelter. It needs to enhance awareness about the potential threats of rodent-borne diseases and should perform integrated rodent control measures to avoid such diseases.

Keywords: Zoonosis Rodents Diseases (viral, bacterial, parasitic)