Yes, precisely Tiff.

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.

*

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."

There's lots more that rats and mice leave in their pee than just leptospirosis. There's fungi, bacterial infections, and more.

That's why rodents in grain stores means no eatee 'cos of rat peepee.

One like to assume they are cooked first!
Maybe cooking destroys the bacteria?

How do you happen to know 'million' of people eat rats?
And how do you know none of these 'millions' have been ill?

all I did was google for it so give it a try - fascinating study and much cheaper than expensive herds of cattle? and remember the s.americans are into guinea pigs - a mouse by any other name

thought I'd put some sites up there earlier o they are a delicacy in parts of the globe - mainly s.e asia - yes well cleaned before cooking - some say the meat is so "like nothing else ever tasted" its like the caviar of meat?

all I did was google for it so give it a try - fascinating study and much cheaper than expensive herds of cattle? and remember the s.americans are into guinea pigs - a mouse by any other name