rodents<\/a>. Estimates show that around 5-percent of rats carry LCM, and they may transmit the disease throughout their life without presenting any adverse symptoms in the mouse or rat carrying the virus.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe disease also occurs in common house mice used by breeders as food for other animals, such as reptiles. Human beings are more inclined to experience the transmission of the disease through infection by rats or house mice than they are through mouse breeders. Research suggests that only 5-percent of the population has antibodies in their bloodstream to prevent LCM infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
LCM occurs in every continent throughout the world. LCM is also an underreported disease, meaning that official statistics may not show the entire footprint of the disease. While adults do not experience severe symptoms, LCM infection in infants can result in a life-threatening situation. Pregnant women infected with the virus, are at higher risk of their baby developing chorioretinitis, congenital hydrocephalus, and mental retardation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n
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