2023-08-27 18:50:01
Many are on their guard before drinking a can… The rats may have urinated on it. Is there a risk ?
Rats are a scourge… These rodents like to stay in warehouses where a good number of food items are stored. And these pests particularly like to indulge in products including cans that we bring directly to our lips during consumption. Does it put us at risk of infection? We tell you everything there is to know!
Leptospirosis, what is it?
In the urine of rats, there are leptospira bacteria that can cause leptospirosis, an infection commonly called rat disease. The latter can cause symptoms ranging from simple fever to complications affecting important organs such as the liver or kidneys. Worse still, in 5 to 20% of cases, it can even lead to death, according to the Pasteur Institute. The first signs of infection can appear 2 days to 3 weeks following contact with the bacteria. Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, rash, and eye infection. However, the disease can be treated with antibiotics.
Are we taking risks by drinking a can?
If the cans are in direct contact with rat urine, however, the risk of contamination by this route is very unlikely. Indeed, for the bacterial particles of leptospires to survive and spread, they need a humid and warm environment. As a bonus, contamination is not possible through food consumption. It is rather done via surfaces, water or mud that can penetrate the body through the mucous membranes (mouth, nose and wound). There is therefore a greater risk of contamination with leptospirosis by bathing in a wild place than by sipping a soda.
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#drinking #washing #risk #infected #leptospirosis #rat #urine #Grazia
