Community perceptions of health and rodent-borne diseases along the Inter-Oceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru

A mixed-methods study in Madre de Dios, Peru, found that while 90% of residents recognize rodents as disease transmitters and see them in their homes, there is a significant lack of knowledge regarding specific rodent-borne illnesses and a low perceived risk of infection. Key informants noted a perceived increase in rodent populations following the construction of the Inter-Oceanic Highway, yet this has not led to increased disease awareness. Furthermore, health providers lack specific diagnostic tools for rodent-borne illnesses, potentially leading to the underestimation of the disease burden and the under-diagnosis of conditions such as leptospirosis.

• A high percentage of survey respondents recognize that rodents can transmit diseases and observe them in their homes, yet most cannot identify specific diseases and do not feel concerned about contracting illnesses from them, viewing rodents primarily as pests.
• Key informants perceive an increase in rodent populations since the construction of the Inter-Oceanic Highway, but this trend has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in perceived risk or knowledge about diseases.
• Health providers in the region lack diagnostic tools for rodent-borne illnesses, which may lead to the underestimation of exposure risks and the disease burden, specifically for leptospirosis, which is frequently detected but not routinely diagnosed.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2025). Community perceptions of health and rodent-borne diseases along the Inter-Oceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/community-perceptions-of-health-and-rodent-borne-diseases-along-the-inter-oceanic-highway-in-madre-de-dios-peru/

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Community perceptions of health and rodent-borne diseases along the Inter-Oceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru. 2025. https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/community-perceptions-of-health-and-rodent-borne-diseases-along-the-inter-oceanic-highway-in-madre-de-dios-peru/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Community perceptions of health and rodent-borne diseases along the Inter-Oceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru |date=13 January 2025 |url=https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/community-perceptions-of-health-and-rodent-borne-diseases-along-the-inter-oceanic-highway-in-madre-de-dios-peru/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2025community, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Community perceptions of health and rodent-borne diseases along the Inter-Oceanic Highway in Madre de Dios, Peru}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://iai.int/es/pub_acad/community-perceptions-of-health-and-rodent-borne-diseases-along-the-inter-oceanic-highway-in-madre-de-dios-peru/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }