Weil`s Disease

[237SJ]

How prevalent is Weil`s Disease in the UK? My elderly neighbours swim in the Thames during hot weather and I`ve always thought that`s a bit risky. Is the chance of contracting Weil`s any greater than getting a bug from swimming in the sea in this country?

[redman41]

It is carried in Animal Urine particularly Rats so swimming in contaminated Rivers or Ponds is not recommended.
Swimming in the Thames may be low risk, but the risk may be there all the same.

[237SJ]

That`s what I thought Redman. I`m not sure if it`s a risk worth taking. The neighbours often see their GP having a swim when they go!

[redman41]

Quote:
Weil's Disease is a notifiable illness in the UK and it is essential to disclose a confirmed case to the local Public Health office, who will need to know where you believe it was caught.

[woofgang]

http://www.nhs.uk/con...ges/Introduction.aspx
looks like the risk is low in the uk

[237SJ]

It makes me cringe to think I used to drink stream water as a child. I was sitting by the river the other day watching various dinghy sailors capsizing so I suppose the risk must be quite low as there are lots of people who end up in the river even though they`re not intentionally swimming in it.

[Sqad]

I agree with all above..........I have never seen a case in 40 years....extremely uncommon in the UK

[LoftyLottie]

Not uncommon in Norfolk unfortunately. There are often cases reported.

[Sqad]

P.S....it is safer to swim in the Thames than going to Glastonbury ;-)

[abstibus]

Many years ago, a 'gentleman of the roads' was brought to the A&E where I was working. He had been sleeping rough and was bitten by rats. Sadly, he died. At that time, I recall that Weil's disease was only diagnosed when it as too late.
I am sure dagnostic teachniques have changed now.

[redman41]

But not in Lottie's Garden, that is out of bounds !!! ;0)

[Sqad]

Just looked it up....less than 40 cases a year in the UK

[LoftyLottie]

Probably most of them in Norfolk.

Unfortunately Redman we have drainage ditches on two sides of us and farmland all round us, and farm buildings used for storage very near. We get loads of rats - it's impossible not to get them. I can cope until they get into the loft (which they do on occasions). The joys of country living.

People around here are very knowledgeable about Weils and take the necessary precautions. It is usually farm workers and anglers that succumb.

[LoftyLottie]

And we get loads of mud too Sqad!!! You would love it - but we do have a decent loo!! ;o)

[Sqad]

A story.

My hero Dr Donald Hunter now deceased took us, for the ward round, out of the hospital, down the Whitechapel Rd in the East end of London and stopped over a manhole cover. he banged on the cover and a face appeared from below and said "Oh! it's you Dr Hunter"

We all climbed down the ladder into the sewers and he gave us a talk on Leptospirosis Ictera Haemorrhgica (Weil's Disease)...an unforgettable lecture from an unforgettable Physician, the likes of which we do not see in the present time.

[LoftyLottie]

Lovely Sqad!! Ward round though? Do you mean there were patients in the sewers??! :o(

[Sqad]

Lofty...LOL.

[redman41]

Nice story Squad !
Things like that stick in your mind, few characters like that anymore !!

[DEN53]

My neighbour's son who is in his late 20's caught Weil's disease in late October last year. He was hospitalised and was extremely ill, at one point in intensive care and they thought they were going to lose him. He is an avid fisherman and has even been photographed for one of the fisherman type magazines.

They think he may have caught it via his hobbie of fishing. He is on the mend now, but its taken a good few months of worry for my neighbour.

[Sqad]

redman....there were many characters then, all replaced now by scientists, that is the price one pays for advancements in Medicine......all now go by the book.

[LoftyLottie]

Yep DEN, I don't think the anglers take as much care as the farmworkers, who wear complete protection and gloves when working anywhere near water round here.

Glad the lad is OK.