The number of small rodents is expected to increase in the coming years, which can have consequences for homeowners – especially in northern Sweden, where the risk of sore fever can rise.
At the same time, the virus that causes the disease has now been detected in southern Sweden.
In order to identify rodent stocks and prevent eruptions, researchers take help from a new app where the public can report finds of mice and sorrows.
– It has become a very nice reception. People use the app so extensively. There will be reports from all over the country that then also complement the surveillance we make of wild living rodents in the forest landscape, says Frauke Ecke, associate professor of landscape ecology at the Swedish University of Agricultural, SLU.
The rodents move in
For many who live in the countryside, visits by rodents are part of the fall. In Rödå outside Umeå, the forest mice have already sought indoors, which can cause problems for homeowners.
– We usually take about two mice per day. I have put out some traps here on different points here in the barn. I notice that when it has become weather change, when it has switched from cold to wet and humid, it becomes the world’s activity, says Joacim Ljadas, who lives in Rödå.
New technology to track rodents
Researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) have for over 50 years mapped the rodent stock. Now they take the help of the digital world. Through the app “Mouse in houses”, the public can report finds of sores and mice, which helps the researchers understand why the rodents are looking into houses – and, by extension, warn of sork fever outbreaks. The initiative has received great response, with over 4,000 reports so far.
Sork fever – an increased risk in southern Sweden
Sork fever is spread through the forestry urine, saliva and stool and can cause high fever and muscle pain. Last year, 85 cases were reported, but during the peak year the figure may be significantly higher. Previously, the outbreaks have mainly occurred north of the Dalälven, but a new study from Uppsala University shows that the virus is also found in Sorkar in Skåne. Why it is, the researchers need to find out.
– It is above all a funding issue. With our monitoring we have our permanent squares and we can check and test. But it is also important to see where somewhere is the source of this, says Frauke Ecke, associate professor of landscape ecology at SLU.