Stuart Williams
Pests are one of the most disturbing issues that we encounter at home. Apart from the fact that they cause damages to our belongings, they also bring a variety of illnesses to our families.
People are skeptical about pests bringing various illnesses to human beings. They say that it’s just propaganda that pest control companies use to get people to avail of their services. Actually, there are reasons why people are so eager to call for a professional when they spot pest infestations.
Pests are responsible for the most lethal illnesses recorded worldwide. If you don’t believe me, here are the five-most fatal diseases brought by pests:
Bubonic Plague
Also known as the black plague, this is one of the most lethal illnesses brought by rats and can also be transmitted by infected rat fleas. It was responsible for the lives of millions of people in Europe during Medieval times. The Bubonic Plague is caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria that affect rats and fleas. If a person gets in contact with the affected insects, he will need immediate medical attention to avert its physical effects.
The Bubonic plague affects the lymphatic system of humans, causing a searing inflammation to the lymph nodes. If left untreated, it could spread to the blood or the lungs which will cause severe complications. As of now, from 2000 to 3000 people get infected yearly.
News from BBC dated May 7, 2019, reported a couple who died from the plague in Mongolia. According to reports, they contracted the disease from eating raw rat meat. The two victims were suspected to have a contagious pneumonic plague. Authorities were driven to do precautionary measures and quarantined those who got in contact with the couple days before they died.
The symptoms of Bubonic plague include but are not limited to fever, headaches, weakness, seizure, and chills. A person also experiences swollen lymph nodes on the groin, neck, and armpit. If you experience these symptoms, seek medical assistance to confirm what’s going on in your body. If you treat it on your own, it could lead to further complications, or worse, death.
Hantavirus
The infamous Hantavirus is spread by rodents through contact with their shedding, urine, saliva, and feces. According to experts, Hantavirus can also be spread through the bite of an infected rat. In the United States, there are a few rat species which are more prone to Hantavirus: the Cotton Rat, the Deer Mouse, the White-footed mouse, and the Rice rat.
If your home or establishment is infested by these creatures, call a pest control professional to eliminate the risk of Hantavirus.
The early symptoms of this disease include fatigue and muscle aches, specifically to the thighs, hips, shoulders, and back. People also experience headaches, nausea, chills, and abdominal problems. The late symptoms of Hantavirus include coughing and shortness of breath. Nowadays, this might be mistaken as the Coronavirus. With a proper diagnosis, you’ll know the necessary medications to apply.
Amidst the Coronavirus pandemic in China, a man, 32, was reported dead from Hantavirus according to a news report by Express on March 25, 2020. Scientists note that Hantavirus is even deadlier than the Coronavirus. Because of this, it sparked fear from the thought that it could be as contagious as the Novel Coronavirus. However, it can only be spread by infected fleas and rats in the vicinity. People in that area should manage pests as much as they disinfect the environment.
Malaria
This illness is caused by a certain type of mosquito. It is a fatal illness that is characterized by very high fevers, and flu-like symptoms. In the United States alone, there are over 2,000 cases of Malaria recorded every year. If this is not treated immediately, it could lead to several complications including death.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), travelers are more prone to the disease. Malaria is common in South Africa and some countries in Asia. Medical experts recommend getting the necessary vaccines before traveling to prevent any illnesses from foreign countries such as Malaria.
The symptoms of this disease include but are not limited to jaundice, headache, weakness, and anemia. These symptoms begin after 10 to 14 days of infection. However, there are instances when the symptoms remain asymptomatic for almost one year. Experts recommend having checked up after traveling to countries with high malaria cases for early detection of the disease.
Dengue Fever
The World Health Organization regards Dengue as a fast-emerging disease that is common worldwide. However, it is more common in poorly-urbanized areas, suburbs, and warm places.
Did you know that this illness affects more than 50 to 100 million in one year? Be careful if one of your neighbors catches the Dengue fever. They become carriers of the disease. When an uninfected mosquito sucks their blood, these mosquitoes become vectors themselves. This is why people need to take extra precaution in keeping mosquito populations at bay.
The symptoms of this illness include but are not limited to headaches, nausea, swollen glands, muscle pains, joint pains, rashes, and pain behind a person’s eyes. These symptoms usually last for 7 days depending on the strength of the immune system to fight the disease.
However, if not treated, the illness can lead to several complications such as internal bleeding, respiratory impairment, and organ impairment. If symptoms persist it could lead to severe abdominal pains, rapid breathing, blood in vomit, extreme fatigue, and persistent vomiting.
Japanese Encephalitis
This is another lethal disease from mosquitoes that do not have a cure. This is a viral infection that affects the nervous system. It inflames the brain and causes fever, confusion, headaches, seizures, even death.
According to research, 13,000 to 20,000 people die each year because of the virus. It is more common in rural areas where establishments are closer to each other and where areas are overpopulated by human beings.
When a person is infected by the Japanese Encephalitis virus, he or she becomes a carrier to the disease. When a mosquito bites the infected person, the insect can transmit the virus to others. This is why people take extra precautions to prevent mosquitoes from infesting their environment.
According to studies, children are more prone to this illness because they have weaker immune systems. Adults, on the other hand, can tend to themselves better, increasing their survival rate to about 50%.
If the virus is not maintained inside the body, it could lead to permanent damage to the nervous system which could cause deafness, uncontrolled emotions, and permanent weakness to parts of the body. Experts say that the best way to prevent this illness is through vaccination including thorough prevention of mosquitoes at home.
These are only a few of the pest-related illnesses today. There are more. If you think that mosquitoes and rats are the only insects you need to avoid, think again. Other pests bring fatalities such as wasps, cockroaches, ticks, and kissing bugs.
Never underestimate the lethality of pest-related illnesses. As we have discussed, it can lead to various complications, including death. I bet you don’t think of DIY methods and pest control experts as nonsense anymore. Seeing how fatal the diseases are, it’s best to be safe than sorry.
