Canton, GA

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Pet rats, increasing in popularity, may be carrying a deadly disease in them. An Austrailian microbiologist, Dr. Shivanti Abeysuriya of Queen Elizabeth II Medical Center in Perth, AU, warns of the emerging risk of rat bite fever, a disease that is typically associated with those living in poverty. Most rat bite fever cases are typically found in Japan but recently and frequently different strings of the disease have been identified in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Africa.

"Now that rats are becoming popular pets and study animals, cases are increasingly seen in different groups of people such as pet owners, pet shop workers and laboratory technicians," Abeysuriya said.

Rat-bite fever is a human illness caused by bacteria diffused by rodents, rats in most cases, which is then carried from rodent to human via the rodent's urine or mucous secretions. Typical symptoms associated with rat bite fever include fever, chills, vomiting, back pain, headaches, swollen joints and achiness. Skin irritations such as open wounds, rashes and inflammation on the hands and feet is also likely.

Abeysuriya is concerned that other domestic animals could begin to carry the disease as well. There have been cases reported of humans becoming infected with the disease after dog and cat bites. Abeysuriya urges scientists and pet owners that rat bite fever is an rising threat and to take extreme caution when handling all rodents.Pet-Super-Store.com Copyright © 2006-2010 is an online pet supply store that offers thousands of boutique pet accessories and dog training collars, all at the guaranteed lowest prices. At Pet-Super-Store.com, we understand our customers' love for their pets, because we are pet owners ourselves. Pets are more than just animals – they are part of our family and are our most loyal companions. This is why we provide our customers with the best assortment of quality pet essentials, valuing each of our customers and treating them as our highest concern

Emma Ayres

Senior PR Director

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Canton, GA

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