While recent concerns regarding hantavirus have circulated across Europe, public health officials in Lithuania are shifting the focus toward more localized but equally significant bacterial threats. The National Public Health Center (NVSC) under the Ministry of Health, alongside pest control specialists, has issued a formal advisory regarding the prevalence of yersiniosis and tularemia—diseases frequently transmitted by rodent populations within the country.
Although hantavirus infections are currently not registered in Lithuania, the presence of mice and rats in residential and agricultural areas continues to pose a documented risk to human health. Experts emphasize that the transition from winter to spring often increases human-rodent interactions as animals move between outdoor environments and indoor shelters, necessitating heightened vigilance in food safety and home maintenance.
Understanding the Primary Bacterial Threats
One of the most common infections directly linked to rodents in the region is yersiniosis. Caused by Yersinia bacteria, this pathogen is notably resilient, capable of surviving and even thriving in cold environments, including domestic refrigerators. According to Aušra Valaikienė, an advisor at the NVSC Communicable Disease Management Department, the symptoms can be deceptive.
“The primary signs of yersiniosis are fever and abdominal pain, which can often be mistaken for acute appendicitis,” Valaikienė notes. Beyond direct contact with rodents, the disease can spread through contaminated water, unwashed vegetables, or undercooked pork. This environmental persistence makes it a recurring concern for those handling stored produce or living in rural settings.
In addition to yersiniosis, health officials are warning of tularemia. This serious infection can be contracted through direct contact with an infected animal, insect bites, or the consumption of contaminated food and water. The onset is typically sudden, characterized by high fevers reaching 40°C, chills, muscle aches, and general exhaustion. As the disease progresses, patients may experience skin rashes, inflammation of the eyes with discharge, and in severe cases, respiratory distress including a dry cough and chest pain.
Transmission Paths and Environmental Risks
The transmission of these pathogens is not limited to physical bites. Bacteria are primarily spread through rodent urine, feces, and saliva. These substances can contaminate surfaces, food supplies, and even the air. One of the highest risks occurs during the cleaning of long-dormant spaces such as attics, basements, or storage sheds.
“A significant portion of the public is accustomed to a traditional rural lifestyle and may overlook the presence of a mouse in the attic or nibbled vegetables in the cellar,” explains Liutauras Grigaliūnas, a biologist at the pest control firm Dezinfa. He warns that rodents use urine as a chemical signaling tool, marking territory frequently. This means that if rodents are present in a home or office, invisible traces of urine are likely present on food preparation surfaces and floors.
Furthermore, rodents act as hosts for fleas and ticks, which can carry these infections to both humans and domestic pets. The inhalation of dust contaminated with dried rodent excrement remains one of the most common ways individuals unknowingly contract these diseases during routine housework or renovations.
Essential Safety and Prevention Measures
To mitigate these risks, health experts recommend a proactive approach to home sealing and sanitation. Preventing rodent entry is the first line of defense. This involves sealing even the smallest cracks in walls, door frames, and window sills using durable materials like concrete or metal mesh, which rodents cannot chew through. Particular attention should be paid to where utility pipes and ventilation systems enter the building.
When cleaning areas where rodents have been active, specialists urge residents to avoid “dry cleaning” methods. Sweeping or vacuuming dry droppings can aerosolize pathogens, making them easy to inhale. Instead, surfaces should be dampened with a disinfectant or soapy water before cleaning.
Maintaining strict personal hygiene, such as frequent hand washing and ensuring all fruits and vegetables are thoroughly washed before consumption, remains critical. Experts also advise against consuming any food products that show signs of rodent damage, as the risk of bacterial contamination extends beyond the visible bite marks.
Source: BNS
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