Rodent-Borne Parasites and Human Disease: A Growing Public Health Concern

Rodents are among the most widespread mammals globally and serve as critical reservoirs for a wide array of zoonotic parasites that significantly impact human health. This review explores the growing public health concern of rodent-borne parasitic diseases, encompassing protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites. Key protozoan parasites include Toxoplasma gondii, Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp., Giardia intestinalis, and Cryptosporidium spp., all of which are capable of causing severe diseases in humans and are found in rodent populations. Zoonotic helminths such as Hymenolepis spp., Trichinella spiralis, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Capillaria hepatica, and Baylisascaris procyonis also demonstrate substantial zoonotic potential. Moreover, ectoparasites like Xenopsylla cheopis, Ornithonyssus bacoti, and Ixodes spp. play key roles in the transmission of vector-borne diseases, including plague, murine typhus, and Lyme disease. Anthropogenic factors, including urbanization, poor sanitation, habitat destruction, and climate change, exacerbate the emergence and spread of these infections. These drivers not only disrupt rodent ecology but also increase the frequency of human–rodent interactions, facilitating zoonotic transmission. Despite the severity of these threats, rodent-borne parasitic diseases remain underrecognized, particularly in low-resource settings where surveillance and control efforts are often limited. This review highlights the pressing need for integrated One Health strategies that encompass rodent population control, environmental hygiene, vector management, and public education. Strengthening global surveillance systems and investing in interdisciplinary research are critical for early detection, risk assessment, and prevention of future outbreaks. Tackling the ecological and environmental drivers of rodent-borne parasitic diseases is essential to safeguard both human and animal health in an increasingly interconnected world.