ZoonosisImpact of Rodent Outbreaks in Rice Paddies on Incidence of Rodent-borne Zoonosis in Human Populations

Abstract

A study conducted in an area encircled by rice paddies on a rodent abundance, population, and flea vector index during normal and rodent outbreak periods revealed that the rodent populations of rice paddies were colonised in rice fields and are not migrated much to the residential areas even during the outbreak years. The predominance of Rattus rattus (94.2%) was recorded among the rodent species in residential premises, whereas in rice paddies, it was lesser bandicoot Bandicota bengalensis (98.9%). Among the structures in a residential area, bakeries were the most infested with pest rodents followed by grocery and vegetable stores. The recorded rat flea index of below 1 from the animals trapped in residential premises and no progression in fever and other ill health conditions among the residents even during field rodent outbreak years show no risk of zoonotic diseases like plague. Rodenticide poison offered through liquids has recorded high intake and control success over the market available ready-to-use bait cakes.