A rat contaminates ten times more food than it ingests through its feces, urine, and fur, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) document *Seminar on Public Health Aspects of Rodent Control*.
In Mexico—where researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico, the National Polytechnic Institute, and the Autonomous Metropolitan University have documented the presence of pathogen-carrying rodents in markets, canals, and Mexico City Metro stations—each urban rat poses a health risk that extends far beyond the food it steals.
Contamination does not occur only when a rat comes into direct contact with food. Through their feces, urine, and saliva, they deposit bacteria and viruses onto surfaces, packaging, and products without leaving any visible signs of damage.
