Effects of Culling on Leptospira interrogans Carriage by Rats

Emerg Infect Dis. 2018 Feb;24(2):356-360. doi: 10.3201/eid2402.171371.

Abstract

We found that lethal, urban rat control is associated with a significant increase in the odds that surviving rats carry Leptospira interrogans. Our results suggest that human interventions have the potential to affect and even increase the prevalence of zoonotic pathogens within rat populations.

Keywords: Canada; Leptospira interrogans; Norway rat; bacteria; carriage; culling; leptospirosis; rats; rodent control; zoonoses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animal Culling*
  • Animals
  • British Columbia
  • Carrier State*
  • Leptospira interrogans / isolation & purification*
  • Leptospirosis
  • Rats
  • Rodent Diseases / microbiology*
  • Zoonoses