Re: A new crop from Australia!
Originally Posted by
Tiffany
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Problem is, you don't know if the rat is infected or not. The ones here look healthy enough but I'd not want to pick one up.
Yes, precisely Tiff. I would prefer to play safe, and take precautions as if they are all carriers.
Years ago when I worked in kennels we were told not to leave water down at night incase of encouraging rats.
When I kept poultry, no water was ever left outside at night.
If an infected rat drank from that water, or got to the feed hopper, I wouldn't want to be eating those eggs.
Even now, I empty the water from my wild birds tables before dark, too.
This is another reason why they suggest we wear gloves when gardening too, incase we have a small cut that can pick up Lepto.
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Here is a bit from the NHS website:
" Leptospirosis is spread in the pee of infected animals – most commonly rats, mice, cows, pigs and dogs.
You can get leptospirosis if:
Soil or freshwater (such as water from a river, canal or lake) that contains infected pee gets in your mouth, eyes
or a cut – usually during activities like kayaking, outdoor swimming or fishing
If you touch an infected animal's blood or flesh – usually from working with animals or animal parts
It's very rare to get leptospirosis from pets, other people or bites."