Geographic distribution: North America and Europe
Animals that may harbor the bacteria in their oropharynx:
(1) rat
(2) gerbil
(3) mice
(4) squirrels
Animals that may become infected after eating rodents:
(1) cats
(2) dogs
(3) ferrets
(4) weasels
(5) pigs
Other animals may become infected as part of an epizootic outbreak.
People who may become infected with Streptobacillus moniliformis:
(1) following a bite of a wild or urban rat
(2) laboratory technician handling rodents
(3) owner of a pet rodent
(4) oral ingestion of contaminated milk (Haverhill fever, named for Haverhill, Massachusetts)
(5) anyone handling an infected animal (farmer, veterinarian, other)
