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Coronavirus carried and potentially by rats

Date: 05,07,2021

Author: Aosion

Rat transmission of coronavirus
Newspapers have reported that Norway rats Rattus norvegicus could spread the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes COVID-19. There is a certain amount of interest in this, especially as the headlines stem from a DEFRA (Department for Environment and Rural Affairs) and Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) report to SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies).


The chances of rats acquiring coronavirus from waste
Persistence of coronavirus in human waste e.g., sewage, rubbish, and food waste, is thought to be unlikely. Having said that, with a high number of infected humans, the large population size of susceptible rats frequently contacting sewage or rubbish means a high likelihood of an individual rat becoming infected. This likelihood is uncertain and would lower as human infection levels reduce.

 
The big question – what about rats spreading coronavirus to humans?
The risk of this is very low for the general population. However, the report noted that the risks are higher where the level of contact between rats and humans is potentially greater i.e., ‘occupational exposure’. This could mean a greater risk to those whose occupation puts them in closer proximity to rats. 


Would coronavirus mutate in rats and become a threat to humans?
It is expected that the virus would adapt to the rat host and the good news is that most mutations in wild animals are unlikely to lead to greater replication in humans. Furthermore, a ‘variant of concern’ to humans is unlikely to emerge via adaptation in a rat host. In fact, the risks of this scenario from rats are, at the moment, considered lower than in the human population.

 
Is there anything we need to do differently?
Of course, there is a level of uncertainty concerning the findings of the report. There is uncertainty over the persistence of coronavirus in sewage and waste, transmissibility, and level of virus in rodents. We should take the report seriously and reaffirm our procedures that also protect against leptospirosis and hantavirus – such as hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, safe disposal of rodents. As always, ‘stay safe’.


Keep them away from your living enviroment:
To stay safe at this period of time, to repel and keep them away from the human being living area without touch is an ideal way.
Aosion Mouse/Rat Repeller would help:
To keep unwanted mouse and rats away from your living area.
For more details, cick 
HERE
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