1-year-old baby bitten by a rat while asleep

RATS frequently come out during the rainy season, owing to changes in their habitat and environmental conditions. In Iligan City, a baby was bitten by a rat while sleeping with her family. 

According to a report , Zyrabelle Sacay, the mother of one-year-old infant Jezelle, saw blood spots on the sheets and noticed that her baby’s foot was bleeding from a rat bite.

Photo Courtesy: Zyrabelle Manalo Sacay | Facebook

The family was stunned to learn that their baby girl had been bitten by a rat. One of the reasons stated by the mother was the recent rains, which had caused rats to emerge. 

However, they are surprised that one was able to enter their home and, ironically, bit her daughter, as they did not expect a rat to enter their home. 

Baby Jezelle was brought to the emergency department and given paracetamol and amoxicillin to treat her swelling foot. They were terrified that the baby would contract rabies.

Photo Courtesy: Zyrabelle Manalo Sacay | Facebook

The danger of a rat bite goes beyond the initial wound. Rats can spread diseases including rat-bite fever, leptospirosis, and even the potentially lethal hantavirus through their saliva or urine. 

Furthermore, rats can transmit fleas and ticks, exposing humans to diseases such as plague and Lyme disease. 

Proper cleanliness, pest control techniques, and avoiding contact with wild or stray rodents are critical for reducing the incidence of rat bites and associated illnesses. 

With this in mind, GMA News’ Kuya Kim noted that a human is unlikely to contract rabies from a rat because they are rarely infected and transfer disease, unlike dogs, cats, and bats.

However, a rat bite can still be harmful since it can develop tetanus, also known as “tetano,” according to general medicine practitioner Dr. Rafael Cabo-Chan Martires, because tetanus is usually found in unclean places.

“Madumi ang mga daga talaga kaya it’s common na dala-dala din nila ‘yung bacteria.

Kahit maliit lang ‘yung sugat nun, pwede siya magdulot ng tetanus infection, which is very dangerous,” he said.

Furthermore, Martires educated the public on how to handle a potential rat bite. A person must apply enough pressure to the bleeding area. It is also effective to clean the wound with soap and water. 

Those who have been bitten by rats should be sent to the hospital right once, especially if they have not been inoculated against tetanus and need to have the shot.

This rainy season, the people should be cautious with floodwater, especially if they have a fresh wound, as it can infect them with leptospirosis.