How do Rodents Play Role in Transmission of Foodborne Diseases?

Abstract

Most of the foods linked to food infections or food intoxications (a foodborne illness caused by a toxin released by microbes) are from animal sources. Pathogens have been found to enter the food supply through animal carriers, animal hosts or improper handling procedures. The major groups of pests affecting the food products include rodents (especially murine rodents), birds (mainly crows, pigeons, seagulls, starlings and sparrows), reptiles (such as different species of lizards), insects (e.g. cockroaches, mosquitoes, flies, beetles, ants, wasps, bees, bugs, lice), and stored product insects (such as beetles, weevils, moths, ticks and mites), as well as domestic animals [1-6].