Cockroaches are creatures who nourish in a dirty and poorly hygienic environment. The feeding and nesting habits of these insects make them carriers of dangerous pathogenic microorganisms including parasites, viruses, and bacteria. 

Cockroaches are suspected to carry a large variety of harmful organisms that can lead to following infections or diseases.

  • Salmonellosis
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Cholera
  • Dysentery
  • Leprosy
  • Plague
  • Campylobacteriosis
  • Listeriosis
  • E. Coli Infections
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Asthma

Cockroach infestation can lead to the deterioration of food products as well as the contamination of surfaces inside your kitchen and other rooms.

Usually, the transmission of diseases occurs indirectly i.e., upon exposure of your body to surfaces and edibles that come into contact with cockroaches.

For businesses, especially the ones operating in the food preparation and storage industry, these creatures can cause serious issues. They can affect the staff’s health and make the business owners liable to financial loss, closure, product recall, etc. 

In this complete guide, we are going to talk about the most common diseases spread by cockroaches and some cockroach pest control measures that you can take to prevent them. 

Diseases That Can be Caused by Cockroaches

cockroaches

Unlike mosquitoes, cockroaches are not directly responsible for the spread of diseases. However, that does not mean that they are not equally if not more harmful to your health.

The transmission of diseases in this case is not the result of bites instead it happens due to the consumption of contaminated food or having close contact with items that were compromised by cockroaches.

World Health Organization (WHO) officials have said that “cockroaches are usually not the main cause of a disease. However, just like house flies, they supplement the spread of certain illnesses.”

Cockroaches are suspected to carry a large variety of harmful organisms that can lead to following infections or diseases.

  • Salmonellosis
  • Typhoid Fever
  • Cholera
  • Dysentery
  • Leprosy
  • Plague
  • Campylobacteriosis
  • Listeriosis
  • E. Coli Infections
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Asthma

Let’s have a brief overview of these diseases one by one:

  • Salmonellosis

Cockroaches are known to transmit salmonella bacteria which can lead to salmonellosis. These bacteria are accumulated by cockroaches by feeding on contaminated food and are deposited on surfaces through their feces or vomit.

The main symptoms of this infection are diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. These symptoms appear after 12 to 72 hours of getting the infection and the recovery period is about 4 to 7 days.

  • Typhoid Fever

This highly infectious disease is caused by the Salmonella typhi bacterium. Cockroaches get these pathogens by consuming feces that contain this particular bacterium.

According to the UK National Health Services (NHS), this fever is more common in developing nations that have poor sanitation and impure drinking water.

The main symptoms of this disease are stomach pain, high temperature, exhaustion, constipation, and in some cases diarrhea. This disease goes away in 3 to 5 days with proper treatment. However, if left unchecked, it can lead to severe complications.          

  • Cholera

This acute diarrheal infection is caused by the Vibrio cholerae Bacterium which cockroaches can get through ingestion of food that contains this pathogen. Cockroaches can spread these bacteria through their feces and vomit.

According to a report conducted by WHO, every year there are about 1.4 million to 4.3 million cases of cholera and about 28000 to 142,000 people die because of it. 

Of all the people that have this disease, about 80% develop only mild to moderate symptoms while only about 20% develop acute watery diarrhea which often leads to severe dehydration.  

  • Dysentery

This is a type of gastroenteritis that results in diarrhea with blood. Most people recover in a week or two without needing any medical attention. Dysentery is of two types.

  • Bacillary Dysentery which is also known as shigellosis is caused by the shigella bacterium.
  • Amoebic Dysentery is caused by single-celled parasites known as Entamoeba.

This is caused by consuming food and drinks contaminated with this bacterium and its symptoms include stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, and fever.       

  • Leprosy

This disease is caused by Bacillus Mycobacterium which is found in the feces of cockroaches. This virus can affect the skin, nerves, eyes, etc. The incubation period of this bacterium is about five years and in some cases, the symptoms appear even after 18 to 20 years. MDT or multidrug therapy is the most common treatment for this disease.              

  • Plague

Cockroaches are suspected to spread the Yersinia Pestis Bacterium which is known as the cause of the bubonic plague. The most common symptoms of bubonic plague are high fever, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle cramps.

In order to avoid complications, it is advised that the patients should get antibiotics after hours of the infection. In the fourteenth century, this plague was responsible for the death of about 50 million people. 

According to a report published by WHO, there were about 783 reported cases of this disease in 2013 which resulted in the death of about 126 patients.              

  • Campylobacteriosis

This common foodborne illness is caused by the campylobacter bacterium. A team of researchers has isolated Campylobacter jejuni subspecies both in the gut content as well as the external skin of cockroaches from various regions.

The transmission is caused by eating contaminated food and drinks and in some cases, sexual contact with people suffering from this disease is also a factor.

The main symptoms of this illness are cramps, diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain which may last from 2 to 10 days.                 

  • Listeriosis

This infection is caused by harmful Listeria monocytogenes and is transmitted when you eat food and drinks contaminated by this pathogen. This disease usually affects people who have weaker immune systems. Mostly elderly, newborn, and pregnant women are affected by this condition.

The main symptoms of this disease are fever, muscle aches, and diarrhea. In the case where the disease goes beyond the gastrointestinal tract, the symptoms may also include convulsions, stiff neck, headaches, and confusion.                    

  • E. Coli Infections

Most strains of these bacteria transmitted from cockroaches are harmless however, some can lead to symptoms like chills, fever, nausea, and muscle ache.

The symptoms of this disease usually last for about three weeks and they tend to get better with little to no treatment.             

  • Staphylococcus aureus

This is a gram-positive cocci bacterium that can cause serious infections if left untreated for too long. It can lead to infections of the blood, lungs, and heart. Cockroaches carry these bacteria in their exoskeletons or digestive tracts.       

  • Asthma

Cockroaches have certain pathogens in their bodies that can be an allergen for certain people and can trigger asthma. The first case of cockroach allergy was reported back in 1943.

The American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has reported that saliva, feces, and shed skin of cockroaches can trigger various allergic responses including asthma.

According to WHO, about 300 million people suffer from asthma worldwide and around 23 to 60% of people with asthma are cockroach allergens.

How Do Cockroaches Spread Diseases And Infections?

Following are some of the main ways in which cockroaches can spread harmful infections and diseases to humans

  • Cockroach Saliva
  • Droppings
  • Direct Physical Contact

Let’s have a brief overview of these diseases one by one:

  • Cockroach Saliva

The saliva of these creatures can harbor pathogens which can be quite dangerous for humans. These pathogens are accumulated from eating contaminated items.

  • Droppings

As we have said before, cockroaches are one of those creatures that have very unsanitary eating habits. This can cause them to pass harmful bacteria and organisms through their droppings.

After eating some unsanitary items, these pathogens enter the body of these insects and lay dormant until the cockroaches excrete them and contaminate the surfaces inside your house.

  • Direct Physical Contact

The legs of cockroaches contain spines that are highly sensitive to touch. These spines have a large surface area which facilitates the pathogens-carrying process. 

The bodies of these creatures come into contact with these pathogens from these sewers, drains, and rubbish bins. Their bodies carry these pathogens and when cockroaches come into contact with surfaces inside your building, they contaminate these as well.

How Can You Catch Diseases from a Cockroach?

The main cause of the disease is contact with items that have been touched by cockroaches. Following are some ways that can happen

  • Eating and drinking Contaminated Food

This can either be caused by eating or drinking food whose quality has been compromised due to having contact with cockroaches or it can result from cooking with or eating in the utensils that were contaminated by cockroaches.

  • Inhaling Contaminated Air

The air inside a building can be contaminated by pathogens from shed skin, vomit, or feces of cockroaches. Inhaling this air for a long time can trigger various diseases and infections including Asthma.

  • Touching Contaminated Objects

If you touch an item that has been contaminated by cockroaches and then use the same hand to touch your eyes, nose, mouth, or some open wound, you run the risk of getting a serious infection.

How Can You Prevent Diseases Caused By Cockroaches?

The main priority for anyone who wants to stay safe from diseases caused by cockroaches should be to stop these creatures from entering their house or commercial building. There are a number of methods that can be employed to prevent cockroaches from getting inside your living space.

If you follow the right prevention techniques, we ensure you that you will reduce the risks of infections significantly and limit the chances of diseases spreading.

Following are some of the most widely used practices that can help you prevent diseases that result from the presence of cockroaches;

  • Thorough Cleaning

Cleaning your house does two things. It gets rid of the contaminations caused by cockroaches and it also makes your place less desirable for these insects. It is advised that you clean your shelves, floors, cooking utensils, crockery, and cutlery on a regular basis to prevent the spread of infections.

You also need to remove dropped food, pet feces, and grease behind the oven and other appliances since these things invite cockroaches.

  • Hand Hygiene

Washing your hands with soap and warm water can also keep bacteria and viruses caused by cockroaches away from you. You need to make a habit of washing your hands before and after preparing food, using the washroom, and eating meals. This way, you can eliminate the possibility of catching germs that can lead to serious illnesses.

  •   Sealing Gaps and Cracks

Cracks and gaps in or around your property can serve as entry points for cockroaches. By sealing these, you can reduce the chances of contamination inside your house. This is why, you need to make sure you regularly inspect and repair damaged walls, floors, drains, and pipes.

  •   Take the Services of a Professional Cockroach Control

You can also ask for help from professional cockroach pest control services or cockroach exterminators. These people can help you figure out the entry points of cockroaches and they can also tell you about some effective preventive measures.

Final Thoughts

So, this is all you need to know about diseases caused by cockroaches and some things you can do to avoid these. Cockroaches pose a serious threat to the health and safety of an individual and that is why you need to make sure you take all the necessary steps to prevent the spread of diseases.

By focusing on cleaning and proper hygiene, you can significantly reduce the risks of infections that can be caused by cockroaches. 

Contact Lulu Pest Control for professional pest control and cleaning services in UAE.

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