Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis

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This viral disease can be transmitted from hamsters to people.  A

large number of cases in 1974 and 1975 were traced to a common

infected hamster colony.  Signs of this disease in people include

recurrent fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, sore

throat, rash and arthritis.



The natural host in the wild for the causative virus is the

rodent population.  Hamsters would most likely acquire their

infection from this source.  Because hamsters are almost

exclusively indoor pets, they are unlikely to become infected

with the virus.  Hamster owners must, however, restrict contact

between their pets and orphaned wild rodents that have been

adopted.