David González Barrio

David González Barrio

David González Barrio
Cargo

Senior Scientist at the Special Pathogens Research and Reference Laboratory of the National Microbiology Centre of the Carlos III Health Institute

12% of rodents harbour human pathogens

A review published in Science estimates that 2 % of rodent species are hyper-reservoirs, hosting and transmitting more than three pathogens to humans, including Lyme disease, Lassa fever and plague. In addition, the authors estimate that 10 % of rodents are reservoirs for one to three pathogens. These are especially so-called synanthropic species - animals that live close to humans and are able to adapt to these environments - such as black rats, Norway rats and house mice.

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