What are the Health Risks Associated with Pest Problems?
Pests don't just look gross - they can also carry a myriad of dangerous bacteria which may spread to humans and cause diseases. In Brooklyn, where a variety of pest species live in close proximity to so many people, the risk of disease transmission is very high. Some of the major health risks associated with local pest problems include:
- E. Coli - Escherichia coli is a dangerous bacteria that is spread by pest species found in Brooklyn, including ants and roaches. People are most commonly infected with E. coli after eating food that has been contaminated by pests. Upon being infected with E. coli, symptoms - including stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea - will usually appear in 3-4 days and persist for about a week. Normally, those infected with E. coli will recover in under 10 days, but complications can result in more serious symptoms requiring hospitalization.
- Salmonellosis - Many of the most common pests in Brooklyn, including cockroaches, ants, mice, and rats, spread the salmonella bacteria through their fecal matter. If feces of these pests find their way into our food supply - which often happens when pests infest food processing plants - those who eat the contaminated food can fall ill with salmonellosis. Symptoms of salmonellosis, which usually last for about a week, include diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Generally, people can make a full recovery from salmonellosis without hospitalization, but life-threatening cases are known to occur.
- Leptospirosis - Rats and mice in Brooklyn are known to carry the leptospira bacteria, which can be spread through their urine. As a result, people who drink or swim in water contaminated by rodents can be afflicted with leptospirosis. There are many symptoms of leptospirosis, which can include fever, aches, chills, nausea, diarrhea, and jaundice. Leptospirosis can be reliably treated with antibiotics but, without treatment, symptoms can continue for weeks or even months. In severe cases, leptospirosis may result in hospitalization and even death.
