The Dangers of Rodents our Markets Part II
The Dangers of Rodents our Markets Part II is the second part of our piece on the issue of rodents in Ghana markets. Rodents can be found in almost every major market in Ghana. In this piece, The Dangers of Rodents our Markets Part II, we seek to draw attention to this health hazard and how we can as a country curb this social menance. Read on.
Rat-Bite Fever
Cause
Rat-bite fever is a bacterial infection caused by Streptobacillus moniliformis (common in North America) or Spirillum minus (more common in parts of Asia).
How It Spreads
Despite its name, the disease does not always require a bite. People can become infected through:
- Bites or scratches from infected rodents
- Handling infected rodents without protection
- Eating or drinking food contaminated by rodent droppings or urine
Although uncommon, it remains a recognized occupational risk for people who frequently handle rodents or work in heavily infested environments.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms usually appear within a few days and may include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Vomiting
- Joint pain
- Skin rash
Without treatment, the infection can become serious.
Prevention
- Avoid direct contact with rodents.
- Wear gloves when cleaning areas with rodent activity.
- Seek medical attention immediately after a rodent bite.
- Improve sanitation to reduce rodent populations.
Lassa Fever
Cause
Lassa fever is caused by the Lassa virus.
How It Spreads
The virus is carried primarily by the multimammate rat (Mastomys species), which is common in several West African countries. Infection usually occurs through contact with food or household items contaminated with the rodent’s urine or droppings. Person-to-person transmission can also occur through contact with infected body fluids, particularly in healthcare settings.
Lassa fever is region-specific and is mainly a concern in parts of West Africa, including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and occasionally neighbouring countries. The risk varies by location and is not the same worldwide.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms range from mild to severe and may include:
- Fever
- Weakness
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Vomiting
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
Some severe cases can lead to bleeding, hearing loss, organ failure, or death if untreated.
Prevention
- Store food in rodent-proof containers.
- Keep homes and markets clean.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Prevent rodents from entering buildings.
- Seek medical care promptly if symptoms develop after possible exposure.
Hantavirus
Cause
Hantavirus infections are caused by several hantaviruses carried by different rodent species.
How It Spreads
People usually become infected by breathing in tiny particles contaminated with rodent urine, droppings, or saliva, especially while sweeping or cleaning enclosed areas with rodent infestations.
Different types of hantavirus occur in different parts of the world. Some forms are found mainly in the Americas, while others occur in parts of Europe and Asia. Human cases are rare in Africa.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
- Headache
- Nausea
- Difficulty breathing in severe cases
Prevention
- Avoid stirring up dust in rodent-infested areas.
- Ventilate enclosed spaces before cleaning.
- Use appropriate protective equipment during cleanup.
- Eliminate rodent nesting sites.
Plague (Historical and Regional Context)
Cause
Plague is caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis.
How It Spreads
Historically, plague spread through fleas carried by infected rodents and caused devastating pandemics, including the Black Death during the 14th century.
Today, plague is rare and occurs only in limited regions of the world. Most markets are not at risk of plague, but the disease remains an important reminder of how rodent populations can influence public health.
Common Symptoms
Depending on the type of plague, symptoms may include:
- Sudden fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Weakness
Prevention
- Effective rodent control
- Flea control where necessary
- Prompt medical treatment of suspected cases
- Ongoing public health surveillance
Damage to Food Supplies
Rodents do far more than spread germs. They also destroy valuable food supplies, leading to significant financial losses for vendors, wholesalers, and consumers.
Food Spoilage
Once rodents gain access to food, much of it must be discarded.
Even if only a small section appears damaged, contamination from urine, droppings, saliva, or hair may have spread further than is visible.
This is especially concerning for:
- Rice
- Maize
- Beans
- Flour
- Groundnuts
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Dried fish
- Animal feed
Discarding contaminated food helps protect public health but also increases food waste.
Damage to Packaging
Rodents have powerful teeth that grow continuously throughout their lives.
To keep these teeth from becoming too long, they constantly gnaw on objects, including food packaging.
Commonly damaged materials include:
- Cardboard boxes
- Plastic bags
- Sacks
- Paper packaging
- Wooden crates
Once packaging is damaged, food becomes vulnerable to insects, moisture, mould, and additional contamination.
Economic Losses
A serious rat infestation can be expensive.
Food vendors may experience losses through:
- Spoiled products
- Reduced customer confidence
- Increased cleaning costs
- Pest control expenses
- Structural repairs
- Business interruptions
For wholesalers and market managers, rodent infestations may also affect supply chains and reduce the overall attractiveness of the market.
Increased Food Prices
Food losses caused by rodents can indirectly contribute to higher food prices.
When traders lose stock, they often need to recover those losses through future sales.
In communities where food security is already a challenge, preventing rodent damage can help reduce unnecessary waste and protect valuable food resources.
Fire Hazards
Many people associate rodents with food contamination, but few realise they can also create serious fire risks.
Chewing Electrical Cables
Rodents instinctively chew hard materials to wear down their teeth.
Electrical wiring is a common target.
They may gnaw through:
- Power cables
- Extension cords
- Electrical panels
- Lighting wires
- Appliance cables
Damaging Plastic Insulation
Electrical wires are covered with plastic insulation that prevents exposed conductors from touching one another.
When rodents chew away this protective layer, bare wires may become exposed.
This increases the risk of:
- Electrical short circuits
- Sparks
- Equipment failure
- Electrical shocks
Increased Risk of Electrical Fires
A damaged electrical cable can generate heat or sparks that ignite nearby combustible materials such as:
- Cardboard
- Paper
- Wooden stalls
- Plastic packaging
- Fabric sacks
Markets often contain large quantities of these materials, allowing fires to spread rapidly.
Routine inspections of electrical systems should therefore be included in every market’s pest control and maintenance programme.
Structural Damage
Rodents can gradually weaken market buildings by chewing and burrowing through construction materials.
Although the damage often develops slowly, repairs can become costly if infestations continue unchecked.
Wooden Stalls
Many market stalls contain wooden shelves, counters, and support beams.
Rodents chew these materials while creating nests and pathways.
Over time, weakened wooden structures may require replacement.
Storage Rooms
Storage areas provide warmth, darkness, and easy access to food.
Rodents may damage:
- Stored products
- Shelving
- Boxes
- Insulation
- Doors
Poorly maintained storage rooms often become the centre of recurring infestations.
Ceilings and Roof Spaces
Roof rats are excellent climbers.
They frequently nest:
- Above ceilings
- Inside roof spaces
- Around ventilation ducts
Their activity may damage insulation, wiring, and roofing materials while making infestations difficult to detect.
Floors and Burrows
Some rodents dig burrows beneath buildings and market stalls.
These tunnels can weaken foundations and create hidden pathways throughout the market.
Cracked floors may also provide additional entry points.
Pipes and Plumbing
Rodents sometimes chew plastic pipes and rubber seals.
Damaged plumbing can lead to:
- Water leaks
- Damp conditions
- Increased mould growth
- Higher maintenance costs
Ironically, leaking pipes also provide rodents with reliable water sources, making infestations even harder to control.
Psychological Impact
The effects of rodent infestations extend beyond physical health and property damage.
They also influence how people feel about a market.
Reduced Customer Confidence
Most shoppers expect markets to sell safe, fresh food.
Seeing rats or mice moving around stalls immediately raises concerns about:
- Food cleanliness
- Vendor hygiene
- Product quality
Some customers may choose to shop elsewhere.
Unpleasant Shopping Environment
Rodent infestations often create unpleasant conditions, including:
- Offensive odours
- Visible droppings
- Gnawed packaging
- Dirty surroundings
These factors reduce the overall shopping experience and discourage repeat visits.
Damage to Market Reputation
Reputation is one of a market’s greatest assets.
News of poor market hygiene can spread quickly through communities and social media.
Once customers lose trust, rebuilding confidence may take considerable time and investment.
A clean market, by contrast, attracts more customers, supports local businesses, and strengthens community pride.
In this second part, we have elaborated on the various health conditions that one can get infected with from rodents. We conclude this series in a part II that looks at how we can curb this and bring it to an end.
About the Author
