How to Prevent Rat Bite Fever

Rat-bite fever is an infection caused by the Streptobacillus moniliformis and Spirillum minus bacteria. It is rare in the United States and most cases come from Streptobacillus moniliformis. Rat-bite fever is usually contracted from the bite or scratch of an infected rodent or animal that preys on rodents. It also can be transmitted through food and water contaminated with rat feces or urine. The following steps will show how to prevent rat-bite fever.

Instructions

• 1

  Minimize contact with rats or rat-infested buildings. This is the best prevention against rat-bite fever. Seal holes on the inside and outside of your home. Trap rodents around the house to control the population. Clear all brush and debris from around your house. Don't leave food outside, especially in a public park.

• 2

  Avoid living in an inner city with overcrowding and poor sanitation. Keep pets from eating rodents and do not touch any wild rodent, dead or alive. Most of the cases of rat-bite fever occur in these conditions with children under 12.

• 3

  Take special precautions against exposure if you are an animal handler, laboratory worker, sanitation worker or sewer worker. Wash your hands regularly, wear protective gloves and do not touch your hands to your mouth while handling rats or cleaning their cages.

• 4

  Clean wounds from rodent bites or scratches promptly with an antiseptic solution. No chemical agent is known to be a prophylaxis for rat-bite fever, nor is a vaccine available.

• 5

  Drink pasteurized milk and water from safe sources.