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What is leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease produced by a group of bacteria called leptospires. It is transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or water.
There are two types of leptospirosis infection, which can affect people in the UK:
- Weil's disease (Leptospirosis icterohemorrhagiae) - 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 around 10 days after infection.
Who is at risk?
Anyone who is exposed to rats, rat or cattle urine or to fetal fluids from cattle is at risk, as are people who, either during their leisure time or at work, on or near canals and slow flowing rivers, ponds or stagnant water (including activities such as angling, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing). Those likely to work in underground structures are also at risk from rats in particular, as can those within buildings where rats may be present.
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 on farms or in dairy parlours are often in contact with cattle urine. Rat urine may also contaminate animal feed stuffs on farms.
How can I prevent it?
- Get rid of rats. Report it to your manager or fault controls so that baits/traps can be set.
- Don't touch rats with unprotected hands.
- Cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters before and during work.
- Wear protective clothing including gloves.
- Wash your hands after handling any animal, or any contaminated clothing or other materials, and always before eating, drinking or smoking.
What else should I do?
Report any illness to your doctor. Tell the doctor about your work. Leptospirosis is much less severe if it is treated promptly. If your doctor decides you have leptospirosis tell your employer, who must then report it to the Health and Safety Executive. If you are self-employed you must report it yourself.
Further information may be found at URLs:
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.htm
This HSE leaflet IND(G) 84L contains notes on good practice which are not compulsory but which you may find helpful in considering what you need to do.
Employers may offer their own specific guidance, such as:
http://humanresources.intra.bt.com/safety-handbook/s5jspecific/17003
http://humanresources.intra.bt.com/safety/hasnews/health_and_safety_news__issue_122_-_march_2004-link/weil_s_disease_(leptopirosis).htm
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