Weil's disease (leptospirosis)

Weil's disease is caused by leptospirosis bacteria found in rats' urine. The leptospirosis bacteria infects small mammals and rodents.

How to catch it
Scratched hands or skin expose blood vessels by coming in contact with rats' or small mammals' urine in the soil, hence contracting the disease. Bacteria come out of rats via their urine and people with open wounds can easily be infected.
In short, Weil's disease is usually caught through contact with soil or water contaminated with animal's urine.

Where to catch it
Living near wild animals heaven (railway lines and bushy gardens).

Who are vulnerable to catch it?
Most farmers and sewage workers. There are about 50 cases* a year.

Incubation period
Around 4* days.

Symptoms
Patient develops flu-like symptoms and severe jaundice. Conditon can deteriorate quickly and patient can get heart attack (which can lead to death).
Patient may be able to talk.

Treatment
The weil's disease can be treated if caught in time after infection (by anti-biotics?)

How to prevent it
By wearing gloves to protect hands/skin.


*source: d/mail, sat. sept 13, 2008 page 31