Both hantavirus and Leptospirosis are zoonotic infections that can be carried by rats. In neither case are the rats made ill by these infections. Hantavirus infections in Europe and the Uk may be symptomless, cause flu like disease or cause a syndrome called HFRS. Symptoms typically begin with a fever, headache, back and abdominal pain and nausea, it may progress to low blood pressure and kidney failure. In rare cases it can be fatal but most cases go on to recover. Hantavirus is contracted from aerosols from infected rodents, including rats. Domestic rats can sometimes be infected.
Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium present in the urine of affected animals including wild rats. The initial symptoms are similar to hantavirus but in addition red eyes, pneumonia and jaundice can occur as the disease progresses. In most cases though the disease doesn't get that far and most people recover normally. Leptospirosis is very rare in domestic rats and is normally caught from water sources contaminated with the urine of an infected animal. However owners have caught it from infected rats.
If you have a confirmed case of either disease in yourself, your family, your rats or your pet homes, please notify the committee and do not show or rehome any rats at this point. The NFRS will not support rehoming these rats and considers doing so to be harmful to the reputation of the NFRS and to pet rats in general. During this period your name will be removed from the breeding list if you are on it.
A confirmed case of hantavirus in a human means 2 blood tests showing a rising titre of antibodies approximately 3 weeks apart. It cannot be confirmed from a single test.
Please be aware that while hantavirus is said to be endemic in rats, this does not mean that all rats carry the virus.
There is a faecal test available for rats to test for active infection, the details of which we can provide. A blood test, that will detect past infection is also available. If you choose to go ahead with this, please send a copy of your results (anonymously if you prefer) to Ann Storey so that we can gather data on the on the prevalence of hantavirus in the pet rat community.
The virus appears to die out after a period of time and does not transmit from mother to her babies until after weaning. We therefore advise that any weaned kittens are kept away from the other rats until the adults are shown by testing to be clear of the virus. Biosecurity measures to keep the two lots of rats apart will include different airspace, use of a mask, increased ventilation, hand washing and more thorough and regular cleanouts.
We are keen to gather data on the prevalence of of hantavirus within the fancy and encourage members to test even without a confirmed case and send the results into us anonymously . There is advice on hantavirus and other zoonotic diseases available on the Government website and this should be made available to new homes.
Unlike hantavirus, Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium and so any rats that may be positive can be treated with a three week course of antibiotics. Your vet will advise, but any rats that have been in contact with wild rats or their urine may be infected.
Tests are also available for this organism.