Can I just remind you all, now that more of us are getting out and about, to be very careful where rats are present. Their urine carries a bacteria that leads to leptospirosis and then Weil's Disease, which can be fatal. I am sure you have all read the warnings and horror stories and you all say "this will never happen to me." Well so did I...BUT I was wrong.
EDIT: Just noticed that this thread is still trying to post an old Photobucket link. To update it here are a couple of pix that may serve as a sombre warning.
11th Feb 2005
If you want to spend weeks eating hospital food, all the time not knowing if you'll be coming out in a box, well don't bother taking precautions. However, let this photo tell it's own story. This is what I looked like the day they let me out of hospital. Talk about dead man walking!
30th March 2005
Catching Weils is a quick and easy way to loose weight...I lost 18kg in ten days!
EDIT: Just noticed that this thread is still trying to post an old Photobucket link. To update it here are a couple of pix that may serve as a sombre warning.
11th Feb 2005
If you want to spend weeks eating hospital food, all the time not knowing if you'll be coming out in a box, well don't bother taking precautions. However, let this photo tell it's own story. This is what I looked like the day they let me out of hospital. Talk about dead man walking!
30th March 2005
Catching Weils is a quick and easy way to loose weight...I lost 18kg in ten days!
In reply to Post #1
Jeepers creepers- let that all be a lesson to you, cant understand why we dont have this rat problem out here at all. must be litter and too much food for them
Jeepers creepers- let that all be a lesson to you, cant understand why we dont have this rat problem out here at all. must be litter and too much food for them
In reply to Post #2
Mods,, this should be made a sticky thread,,
Mods,, this should be made a sticky thread,,
In reply to Post #3
what photo ????
what photo ????
In reply to Post #4
can't you see it? It's OK in Firefox! I'll try again in IE6
can't you see it? It's OK in Firefox! I'll try again in IE6
In reply to Post #4
I cant see it either.
I cant see it either.
In reply to Post #5
Ken, may it be worth mentioning what precautions you can take as not sure everyone will know including me!
I know it gets in through the blood stream so is it a case of keeping wounds etc covered up or more of a case of not going in the water full stop?
Ken, may it be worth mentioning what precautions you can take as not sure everyone will know including me!
I know it gets in through the blood stream so is it a case of keeping wounds etc covered up or more of a case of not going in the water full stop?
In reply to Post #6
I cant see it either
I cant see it either
In reply to Post #8
Should be visible now
Should be visible now
In reply to Post #8
Well Said Ken
Well Said Ken
ye gods! take that picture off, its horrible!! 
but, your message is sound.
basic hygiene on the bank is a great start.
but, your message is sound.
basic hygiene on the bank is a great start.
In reply to Post #7
Weil's Disease is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospirosis bacterium, and is spread by the urine of rats. Now that summer is with us these vermin will be proliferating like mad, spreading the risk of infection far and wide.
The bacteria usually enter your body via cuts to the skin, or via the nose, mouth and alimentary tract. Thus anyone coming into contact with or swallowing infected water will be at risk.
Note that infected water does not have to look iffy to pose a risk. However, water, which does appear polluted, or the sight of rats on the bankside or in the water, is a strong warning that the water is probably contaminated. As anglers we cannot avoid coming into contact with contaminated water but you should be aware that the problem exists.
An attack of Weil's Disease usually resembles a cold or flu in its early stages. The incubation period is 3-21 days but can be longer (up to 30 days or even longer) in some extreme cases. The early signs are a yellowing of the skin and eyes, which indicates the onset of jaundice and shows that the infection has affected the liver. At this stage several diagnoses are possible including glandular fever and hepatitis. However, a blood test will reveal if Weil's Disease is the culprit. Further symptoms include:
· Severe pain in joints and muscles throughout the body but more noticeable in the arms, elbows, wrists, legs, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles.
· Stiff and painful neck.
· Constipation.
· Very dry mouth and throat.
· Nausea.
· Headache.
· Unable to sleep due to pain and general discomfort.
· Elevated pulse rate and blood pressure.
· Loss of appetite.
· Urine a peculiar colour.
· Severe fever.
· Occasional violent shivering fits.
· Sudden yet prolonged spells of profuse sweating with consequent dehydration.
· Dry unproductive cough.
· Occasional shortness of breath.
The initial illness lasts about 5-10 days. In some cases it can then appear to get better but a further significant deterioration inevitably follows. If untreated Weil's Disease is very serious and can, on occasions, be fatal.
If you become ill after a fishing trip and display any of the above flu-like symptoms, it is vital that you contact a doctor as soon as possible. You must tell the treating physician that you may have been in contact with infected water and that you suspect Weil's Disease, as many of them do not associate the symptoms with the Disease without some guidance from you, the patient.
Treatment is invariably with strong antibiotics and it is usually successful but ONLY if it is started rapidly after the symptoms develop. Here are just a few ways the bacteria can enter the body:
1. Swallowing infected water.
2. Allowing infected water into contact with the eyes, nasal passages , the throat and the alimentary canal.
3. Via cuts and broken skin (grazes etc).
4. From contaminated food left uneaten either on the ground or even on a low chair or your bivvy table. Who knows what ratty has been up to while you were sleeping?
5. From a cigarette that may have fallen to the ground or by smoking a cigarette from packet left on the ground where a rat may have passed urine under or on the packet overnight or while you were away from your swim.
6. By lubricating your knots with saliva.
7. By biting rather than cutting nylon line.
8. By not being aware that wet boots and waders (especially neoprene chesties that retain water for much longer) will carry the infection until they are entirely dried out
9. By licking your fingers while fishing.
Take all necessary precautions. I know they are a bind but they could save your life.
· Get rid of rats using poison where possible. Use traps and plenty of them to help decrease the numbers around the fishery but be aware that even after they are dead their potential for harm lives on in the urine they have deposited.
· Encourage all private fishery owners to take extreme measures against them. They have a legal responsibility to provide a healthy environment for you to fish in.
· If you kill a rat one don't touch it with unprotected hands.
· Cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters while fishing. Always wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking.
· Report ANY flu like illness to your doctor.
Weil's Disease is a bacterial infection caused by the Leptospirosis bacterium, and is spread by the urine of rats. Now that summer is with us these vermin will be proliferating like mad, spreading the risk of infection far and wide.
The bacteria usually enter your body via cuts to the skin, or via the nose, mouth and alimentary tract. Thus anyone coming into contact with or swallowing infected water will be at risk.
Note that infected water does not have to look iffy to pose a risk. However, water, which does appear polluted, or the sight of rats on the bankside or in the water, is a strong warning that the water is probably contaminated. As anglers we cannot avoid coming into contact with contaminated water but you should be aware that the problem exists.
An attack of Weil's Disease usually resembles a cold or flu in its early stages. The incubation period is 3-21 days but can be longer (up to 30 days or even longer) in some extreme cases. The early signs are a yellowing of the skin and eyes, which indicates the onset of jaundice and shows that the infection has affected the liver. At this stage several diagnoses are possible including glandular fever and hepatitis. However, a blood test will reveal if Weil's Disease is the culprit. Further symptoms include:
· Severe pain in joints and muscles throughout the body but more noticeable in the arms, elbows, wrists, legs, shoulders, hips, knees and ankles.
· Stiff and painful neck.
· Constipation.
· Very dry mouth and throat.
· Nausea.
· Headache.
· Unable to sleep due to pain and general discomfort.
· Elevated pulse rate and blood pressure.
· Loss of appetite.
· Urine a peculiar colour.
· Severe fever.
· Occasional violent shivering fits.
· Sudden yet prolonged spells of profuse sweating with consequent dehydration.
· Dry unproductive cough.
· Occasional shortness of breath.
The initial illness lasts about 5-10 days. In some cases it can then appear to get better but a further significant deterioration inevitably follows. If untreated Weil's Disease is very serious and can, on occasions, be fatal.
If you become ill after a fishing trip and display any of the above flu-like symptoms, it is vital that you contact a doctor as soon as possible. You must tell the treating physician that you may have been in contact with infected water and that you suspect Weil's Disease, as many of them do not associate the symptoms with the Disease without some guidance from you, the patient.
Treatment is invariably with strong antibiotics and it is usually successful but ONLY if it is started rapidly after the symptoms develop. Here are just a few ways the bacteria can enter the body:
1. Swallowing infected water.
2. Allowing infected water into contact with the eyes, nasal passages , the throat and the alimentary canal.
3. Via cuts and broken skin (grazes etc).
4. From contaminated food left uneaten either on the ground or even on a low chair or your bivvy table. Who knows what ratty has been up to while you were sleeping?
5. From a cigarette that may have fallen to the ground or by smoking a cigarette from packet left on the ground where a rat may have passed urine under or on the packet overnight or while you were away from your swim.
6. By lubricating your knots with saliva.
7. By biting rather than cutting nylon line.
8. By not being aware that wet boots and waders (especially neoprene chesties that retain water for much longer) will carry the infection until they are entirely dried out
9. By licking your fingers while fishing.
Take all necessary precautions. I know they are a bind but they could save your life.
· Get rid of rats using poison where possible. Use traps and plenty of them to help decrease the numbers around the fishery but be aware that even after they are dead their potential for harm lives on in the urine they have deposited.
· Encourage all private fishery owners to take extreme measures against them. They have a legal responsibility to provide a healthy environment for you to fish in.
· If you kill a rat one don't touch it with unprotected hands.
· Cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters while fishing. Always wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking.
· Report ANY flu like illness to your doctor.
In reply to Post #9
ahhh oh my god do you end up looking like that? 
Oh sorry you are talking about the weight loss.
On a serious note, people don't take enough precautions and as Ken has said it can lead to devastation consequences. The number of times I have seen people washing up with lake water amazes me. Just a case on people not thinking i suppose.
P.S Small selection of chocolate bars behind you then ken.
ahhh oh my god do you end up looking like that? Oh sorry you are talking about the weight loss.
On a serious note, people don't take enough precautions and as Ken has said it can lead to devastation consequences. The number of times I have seen people washing up with lake water amazes me. Just a case on people not thinking i suppose.
P.S Small selection of chocolate bars behind you then ken.
In reply to Post #12
This one any better Brian? It took the best part of 28 months for me to fully recover and at one stage my missus was told to expect the worst. I was a very lucky lad! Take care out there
This one any better Brian? It took the best part of 28 months for me to fully recover and at one stage my missus was told to expect the worst. I was a very lucky lad! Take care out there
In reply to Post #13
Thanks thats the kind of thing. The symptoms sound unpleasent to say the least. Hope this makes a few people think.
Thanks thats the kind of thing. The symptoms sound unpleasent to say the least. Hope this makes a few people think.