Just heard on the bbc that half of the UK's 30 cases of Weil’s disease in 2011 where contracted from the river Itchen.

Update 9th Jan: Here is the story http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-16477713 Hear about this on the radio before it was on the web.

Scary stuff, one of my worst nightmares, mate of mine contracted it a few years back and died within days.

It's rare but there is always a chance in our sport.

The Pirate.

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Are there a lot of rats around the river as thats the source of the disease?
A friend of mine caught it from eating his sandwitches in his tractor, without washing his hands, he was ill for weeks.
Mike

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I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,9 bean rows will I have there and a hive for the honey bee.

I used to work on building sites nowhere near rivers and our company had 3 cases in two years. Mostly by not washing hands before lunch. Suprisingly a small tube of disinfectant gel would solve the problem.

Not heard of this before so off for a bit of research. Appears MM's dead on with his observations above.

Weil's disease: the cause, the symptoms and the precautions to take | Life and style | The Guardian

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Worth keeping in mind that much of the risk comes from damp marginal areas as well as the water itself.

hand sanitiser added to my vest pocket. Good call.

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guys you dont get it just from rats cattle are a known source


What is leptospirosis?
Two types of leptospirosis infection can affect workers in the UK.
Weil’s disease■■
This is a serious and sometimes fatal infection that is transmitted to humans by contact with urine from infected rats.
The Hardjo form of leptospirosis■■
This is transmitted from cattle to humans.
What are the symptoms?
Both diseases start with a flu-like illness with a persistent and severe headache, which can lead to vomiting and muscle pains and ultimately to jaundice, meningitis and kidney failure. In rare cases the diseases can be fatal.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who is exposed to rats, rat or cattle urine or to fetal fluids from cattle is
at risk.
Farmers are now the main group at risk for both Weil’s disease and cattle leptospirosis: the cattle form is a special risk for dairy farmers.
Other people who have contracted leptospirosis in recent years include vets, meat inspectors, butchers, abattoir and sewer workers.
Workers in contact with canal and river water are also at risk.
How might I catch it?
The bacteria can get into your body through cuts and scratches and through the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes after contact with infected urine or contaminated water, such as in sewers, ditches, ponds and slow-flowing rivers. People working in dairy parlours are often in contact with cattle urine. Rat urine may also contaminate animal feed stuffs on farms


http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.pdf

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WHEN YOU LEAVE THE RIVER, TAKE NOTHING, AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINT'S!!!

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Bruce, I think rats are the main reservoir - cattle can catch it from rats and humans can catch it from infected cattle, but I don't think it's endemic to cattle - an infected cow needs treating.

Good post, I'd always assumed chances of contracting it were negligible. I'll be taking lylas recommendation and purchasing some hand sanitiser.