Large numbers of diseased rodents (especially squirrels) have recently been reported in four states in the Southeast: Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. Mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus rattus) have been implicated by ELISA tests as the reservoirs of Arterivirus potestas.
A quick search of the literature for “rodent vector reservoir” returns hundreds of results from around the globe. Rodents (mice, rats, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, etc.) are implicated worldwide in the maintenance of pathogens causing leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Powassan encephalitis, and Bubonic Plague, among others.
European species of mice are known to have a high influence on the distribution of tick-borne pathogens, both by their behavior and by their distribution (Ferreri et al. 2014). Elsewhere, the white-footed mouse is known to be of tremendous importance to the maintenance of Lyme Disease-causing Borrelia burgdorferi and are therefore being targeted with vaccinations to reduce the incidence (Richer et al. 2014).
Both the house mouse and the black rat are commensal with humans, and were introduced to New World habitats by their associations with humans (Bern, accessed 11-25-2014; EOL, accessed 11-25-2014). They have similar ecologies and are both likely to occur in areas of human habitation, as they will consume food stored by humans as well as household materials. Murine rodents are known to be reservoir hosts of numerous human pathogens.
A quick search of the literature for “rodent vector reservoir” returns hundreds of results from around the globe. Rodents (mice, rats, voles, squirrels, chipmunks, etc.) are implicated worldwide in the maintenance of pathogens causing leishmaniasis, Lyme disease, Anaplasmosis, Powassan encephalitis, and Bubonic Plague, among others.
European species of mice are known to have a high influence on the distribution of tick-borne pathogens, both by their behavior and by their distribution (Ferreri et al. 2014). Elsewhere, the white-footed mouse is known to be of tremendous importance to the maintenance of Lyme Disease-causing Borrelia burgdorferi and are therefore being targeted with vaccinations to reduce the incidence (Richer et al. 2014).
Both the house mouse and the black rat are commensal with humans, and were introduced to New World habitats by their associations with humans (Bern, accessed 11-25-2014; EOL, accessed 11-25-2014). They have similar ecologies and are both likely to occur in areas of human habitation, as they will consume food stored by humans as well as household materials. Murine rodents are known to be reservoir hosts of numerous human pathogens.
The house mouse is a known reservoir of rickettsial pox, tularemia, salmonella, and bubonic plague (Bern, accessed 11-25-2014). They also carry murine typhus and hantavirus (EOL, accessed 11-25-2014). They are typically nocturnal. Breeding occurs year-round in domestic populations, though wild mice (or peridomestic mice, such as those living in urban and suburban parks and nature areas) may exhibit more seasonal breeding from May to Augus (EOL, accessed 11-25-2014). However, given the milder winters in the affected areas, a slowed metabolism to compensate for cold weather is likely less of a factor than in further northern climes. House mice are found throughout the continental US and live both within human houses and in nature areas surrounding human habitation (EOL, accessed 11-25-2014). They are highly omnivorous and consume invertebrates, plant foods, and even anthropogenic products such as soap (EOL, accessed 11-25-2014).
The black rat is a known reservoir of bubonic plague, typhus, toxoplasmosis, and numerous other agents (EOL, accessed 11-25-2014). Like the house mouse, they are typically nocturnal, though they exhibit more diurnal activity in areas with lower human activity. They are also highly omnivorous, generally preferring plant foods, but also consuming invertebrates and engaging in predatory behavior. Breeding generally occurs between March and November, with high mortality occurring in populations (largely due to pest control measures). As with the house mouse, they will live both in human habitations and in natural areas (EOL, accessed 11-25-2014).
Literature Cited
Bern, R.L. 2003. House mouse (Mus musculus). http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/Mus_musculus.html
(EOL) Encylopedia of Life. Mus musculus. http://eol.org/pages/328450/
(EOL) Encylopedia of Life. Rattus rattus. http://eol.org/pages/328447/
Ferreri, L., M. Giacobini, P. Bajardi, L. Bertolotti, L. Bolzoni, V. Tagliapietra, A. Rizzoli, and R. Rosà. 2014. Pattern of tick aggregation on mice: larger than expected distribution tail enhances the spread of tick-borne pathogens. PLoS Comp Biol 10.
Richer, L.M., D. Brisson, R. Melo, R.S. Ostfeld, N. Zeidner, and M. Gomes-Solecki. 2014. Reservoir targeted vaccine against Borrelia burgdorferi: a new strategy to prevent Lyme disease transmission. J Infect Dis 209:1972-1980.
(EOL) Encylopedia of Life. Mus musculus. http://eol.org/pages/328450/
(EOL) Encylopedia of Life. Rattus rattus. http://eol.org/pages/328447/
Ferreri, L., M. Giacobini, P. Bajardi, L. Bertolotti, L. Bolzoni, V. Tagliapietra, A. Rizzoli, and R. Rosà. 2014. Pattern of tick aggregation on mice: larger than expected distribution tail enhances the spread of tick-borne pathogens. PLoS Comp Biol 10.
Richer, L.M., D. Brisson, R. Melo, R.S. Ostfeld, N. Zeidner, and M. Gomes-Solecki. 2014. Reservoir targeted vaccine against Borrelia burgdorferi: a new strategy to prevent Lyme disease transmission. J Infect Dis 209:1972-1980.