Diseases spread By Cockroaches and their Symptoms

Cockroaches are responsible for spreading a wide range of diseases in Nigeria and the world over. They pose a health hazard in the home environment. Although cockroaches are not usually associated with widespread disease outbreaks, their presence is a sign of poor sanitation procedures and they are known to carry a number of bacteria, which could give rise to serious illness in humans. They may also induce allergies and asthma symptoms in susceptible people.

Although cockroaches can bite, diseases are almost exclusively passed on through mechanical transmission whereby their bodies are contaminated with bacteria which is then transferred to other surfaces they encounter as they move about.

This may lead to wound infections, food poisoning and gastric upset.

Like the household fly, the cockroach will eat virtually anything ranging from food spills on a kitchen floor to faecal matter. Ingested bacteria can survive in the cockroach's digestive system, sometimes for months or even years, and are passed in its droppings. Cockroaches will vomit and defaecate on food and it is thought that disease may be transmitted to humans when humans eat food contaminated by cockroaches.

Amongst the organisms known to be carried by cockroaches are; Salmonella spp. including Salmonella typhi causing typhoid, Entamoeba histolytica causing amoebiasis, Shigella dysenteriae causing dysentery, and potentially also the poliomyelitis virus responsible for polio. Other species known to be carried are Proteus spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermalis, Streptococcus faecali, and Escherichia coli.

Below are diseases caused by Cockroaches

Typhoid

Typhoid fever is a life-threatening infection caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi. It is usually spread through contaminated food or water. An estimated 11–20 million people get sick from typhoid and between 128 000 and 161 000 people die from it every year. The easiest ways to avoid typhoid are by being vaccinated and by avoiding risk food and drinks. Persons with typhoid fever usually have a sustained fever as high 39° to 40° C. They may also feel weak, or have stomach pains, headache, or loss of appetite. In some cases, patients have a rash of flat, rose-colored spots.

Amoebiasis

Amebiasis is a parasitic infection of the intestines caused by the amoeba Entamoeba histolytica, or E. histolytica. The symptoms of amebiasis include loose stool, abdominal cramping, and stomach pain. However, most people with amebiasis won't experience significant symptoms. It can affect anyone, although it is more common in people who live in tropical areas with poor sanitary conditions.

Shigellosis

Shigellosis is an infectious disease caused by a group of bacteria called Shigella. Most who are infected with Shigella develop diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after they are exposed to the bacteria. The diarrhoea is often bloody. Shigellosis usually resolves in 5 to 7 days. A severe infection with high fever may be associated with seizures in children less than 2 years old. Some persons who are infected may have no symptoms at all, but may still pass the Shigella bacteria to others.

Polio

Polio is an infectious disease caused by a virus that lives in the throat and intestinal tract. It is most often spread through contact with the stool of an infected person and may also be spread through oral/nasal secretions

Full List of Diseases from Cockroaches

Following is a list of diseases caused by cockroaches,

• Campylobacteriosis

• Cholera

• Leprosy

• Dysentery

• Listeriosis

• Salmonellosis

• Gastroenteritis

• Giardia

• Typhoid Fever

Apart from these, cockroaches can cause other health issues such as:

• Asthma

• E. coli infection

• Staphylococcus Aureus

• Allergies

• Streptococcus

What Are the Risk Factors for Diseases Spread by Cockroaches?

Cockroaches are a sign of poor hygiene. Hence, if individuals, especially pregnant women, live in an unhealthy home environment, it will increase the chance of developing cockroach borne diseases such as Listeriosis or Asthma and other gastronomical diseases. So it is advisable to eliminate cockroaches from your household

Prevention To prevent diseases that spread due to cockroaches, individuals have to follow the tips mentioned below,

• Clean work and cooking surface on a regular basis

• Wash dishes, utensils immediately after using

• Clean food remnants after eating

• Maintain hygiene and wash hands frequently

• Seal cracks and crevices in kitchen, windows, bathrooms and other cockroach entry points

• Store food in an airtight container

• Regularly invite a cockroach fumigation company to eliminate these insects and other pests

• Buy some DIY products like cockroach killing powder