Scientists warn superbug rodents are potential killers

• Mice carry superbugs resistant to common antibiotics

• Restaurants and food outlets should not tolerate these rodent risks on their premises

• Conventional mouse treatments do not prevent mice activity

• Restaurants can protect customers from superbug mice with SUPERPROOF rodent proofing

Restaurants and food outlets that tolerate mice activity in their premises have been sent a warning by scientists – the rodents might kill their customers.

Research has shown that common house mice carry potentially fatal diseases that are resistant to antibiotics and could be passed on to humans.

A SUPERPROOF expert said that this should be of particular concern for food businesses which should be setting the highest hygiene standards to protect customers.

Mice can carry superbugs around high-risk food premises

The SUPERPROOF expert added: “Conventional mice pest control methods suppress mouse populations in business premises like restaurants and food shops. They do not get rid of them completely.

“This means that many of these high-risk premises will continuously experience mouse activity in kitchens, food stores and service areas.

“The evidence from this new scientific study is showing mice carry potentially deadly diseases and are in a position to pass them on to humans. It’s a scary proposition for everyone concerned.”

The only safe option to prevent mice from getting into human space in restaurants and food shops is to SUPERPROOF. To find out more call: 0808 133 2330.

The scientific study into hundreds of mice found evidence of bacteria that included E.coli, C. difficile and Salmonella. Genetic analysis of mice droppings showed strains of the bugs that were resistant to several common antibiotics.

 

All the bacteria were capable of causing gastro-intestinal infections that in severe cases could be life-threatening, especially for older people, babies, or those with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients.

One of the report authors, Professor Ian Lipkin, said people were wrongly more concerned about health risks from rats.

Superbug mice a public health worry - scientist

He added: “From a public health vantage point, mice are more worrisome because they live indoors and are more likely to contaminate our environment, even if we don’t see them.”

The SUPERPROOF expert said: “Mice will leave a trail of bacteria as they walk about on food preparation areas and customer tables in restaurants. They have glands that excrete oils, and they defecate and urinate almost constantly.

“They also inhabit unsanitary areas such as service ducts, wall voids, and under work tops where dirt and bacteria will gather. Environmental health experts will tell you this is a common way bugs are transmitted.”

Conventional mice pest control strategies in restaurants and shops are base around programmes of baiting with poisons and trapping, supported with limited rodent proofing.

SUPERPROOF turns this strategy on its head and focuses on the comprehensive mouse proofing of the entire building, preventing mice from entering human space to forage for food.

This reduces the rodent carrying capability of the premises to the point where the mice population collapses and mice can no longer live in the space.

Comprehensive mouse proofing protects customers and staff

SUPERPROOF mouse proofing programmes, using unique combinations of proofing materials and techniques, are protecting premises of high profile national restaurant chains and food outlets across the UK.

A SUPERPROOF expert said: “This scientific study showing how mice carry potentially deadly superbugs, makes a strong case for other food outlets to urgently review their mice pest control strategies, and move to a zero tolerance of mice in their premises.

“We would be happy to demonstrate how SUPERPROOF can allow them do just that.”