What is LCMV mouse?
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or LCM, is a rodent-borne viral infectious disease caused by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a member of the family Arenaviridae, that was initially isolated in 1933. The primary host of LCMV is the common house mouse, Mus musculus.
How do mice get LCMV?
Pet hamsters, guinea pigs and mice can become infected with LCMV after being in contact with wild rodents at a breeding facility, pet store or your home. There have not been any reports of person-to-person transmission, except from an infected mother to a fetus or through organ transplantation.
How is LCMV transmitted to rodents?
Rodents infected with LCMV shed the virus in large quantities in their saliva, urine, feces, and nasal secretions. Acquired primary infection occurs when feces, saliva, or urine from LCMV-infected rodents is inhaled or ingested.
Can you clean up mouse poop while pregnant?
“If you are pregnant, wash your hands frequently, don’t clean the hamster cage or sweep up rodent droppings, and whenever possible, avoid areas populated with mice,” says Stavola. For more information on the full range of prenatal tests that can help protect mother and baby, visit this March of Dimes site.
How long do mouse droppings remain infectious?
The virus may remain infectious for 2 to 3 days at room temperature. Exposure to sunlight will decrease the time of viability and freezing temperatures will increase the time that the virus remains infectious.
How do you test for LCMV in mice?
Serological detection of LCMV in rodents is not very sensitive because viral titer in the blood of infected animals may be very low. Urine and fecal samples are convenient samples for screening for infected mice, but serology testing cannot be applied to these sample types.
Can you get sick from old mouse droppings?
This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain a hantavirus are stirred up into the air. People can also become infected when they touch mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials that contain the virus and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth. They can also get HPS from a mouse or rat bite.
How common is LCMV in pregnancy?
Several serologic studies conducted in urban areas have shown that the prevalence of LCMV antibodies in human populations range from 2% to 5%. Additionally, pregnancy-related infection has been associated with congenital hydrocephalus, chorioretinitis, and mental retardation.
Can you get sick from cleaning up mouse droppings?
Hantavirus is spread from wild rodents, particularly mice and rats, to people. The virus, which is found in rodent urine, saliva, and feces (poop), can be easily released in the air in confined spaces when disturbed by rodents or human activities, such as sweeping or vacuuming.
Is it safe to clean up mouse droppings while pregnant?
Avoid vacuuming or sweeping rodent urine, droppings, or nesting materials, which can cause the virus to become airborne and increase the chance of breathing in the virus.
Can a mouse harm my baby?
Mouse droppings and nests carry many airborne diseases that can infect your children, partners and pets. Mice can make you sick. Diseases such as Hantavirus, salmonella and listeria are commonly found in mouse urine, droppings, saliva and nests. All of these viruses can be deadly to any human.
Should you wear a mask when cleaning up mouse droppings?
When cleaning attics, basements, crawlspaces and other storage areas: Wear rubber, latex, or vinyl gloves when cleaning up urine, droppings, or nesting materials. Note that a dust mask may provide some protection against dust, molds, and insulation fibers, but does not protect against viruses.
Do house mice carry diseases?
While the common house mouse is not as dangerous to your health as a deer mouse, they can still spread disease, such as hantavirus, salmonellosis and listeria through their urine, droppings, saliva and nesting materials.
Can you get sick from cleaning up mice droppings?
How common is it to get sick from mice?
Mice, rats and other rodents may carry infections that can spread to humans. These infections can spread through direct contact with infected mice or through contact with soil, food or water contaminated by infected mice. These infections are rare, but people should take steps to reduce their risk.