Shelley A Stefanic

Hi Tia,

I was trying to get an answer to your question from some rat people more
knowledgeable then I am. So far, no response. I would contact your
local health department with concern about your pet rodents. How is the
disease passed? My initial feeling would be that if they are kept
inside and caged, pet rats or mice (and other rodents) should be OK.

~Shelley

P.S. You might not want to mention "pet rats" specifically to the health
department. Many people are so prejudiced against rats they will
automatically say "oooh, yuck" with out giving any thought to the
problem. Ironically, mice, gerbils, hamsters and guinea pigs are
perfectly acceptable. A shame, since they all of them, (with the
exception of g.p.'s), bite far more often then rats and are not nearly as
smart or lovable toward their human owners.