Which illness is often linked to exposure to the feces of infected rodents?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that is commonly associated with exposure to the feces of infected rodents. The bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, Leptospira, are found in the urine and feces of infected animals, particularly rodents, which are a significant reservoir for the infection. Humans can become infected through direct contact with contaminated water or soil, or by inhaling aerosols containing the bacteria.

The risk of contracting leptospirosis is particularly heightened in areas with poor sanitation or in activities that involve contact with water potentially contaminated by rodent urine. Symptoms can vary from mild flu-like manifestations to severe illness, including jaundice, renal failure, respiratory distress, and in extreme cases, death. The linkage of leptospirosis specifically to rodent fecal exposure underscores the importance of public health measures to control rodent populations and manage waste.

In contrast, avian flu is primarily associated with birds, rabies is transmitted through the saliva of infected animals like bats and dogs, and West Nile virus is primarily spread by mosquitoes, not rodents. Therefore, leptospirosis is distinctively recognized for its connection to rodent feces among the listed illnesses.