Are Pet Rats Dangerous

Question
As I'm sure you are aware wild rats pose a serious health risk and have been known to carry a number of diseases. Apparently the urine of wild rats is especially dangerous. Is this also true for domesticated rats and if so do you have any tips or advice on how to minimize the risk? Thanks

Answer
Nope, not true for domestic rats. Rats are actually even safer than cats, especially for pregnant women. The most communicable thing I have ever gotten from a rat was ringworm, and that rat was kept in very poor, nasty, gross conditions. (Ringworm is a fungus transferred through touch -- its rare to see a rat with ringworm, unless, as I said, it's kept in squallor)