Weil's Disease

Leptospirosis, also known as Weil's Disease affects both humans and animals, and is most commonly transmitted through exposure to water or an environment contaminated by infected animal urine.

Weil's Disease cases have a relatively distinct seasonality in the UK, with most of them occurring August through September.

Rats, voles, mice, and even infected dogs may serve as hosts to Weil's Disease, as the disease remains contagious as long as it is still moist.

For example, a dog that has licked the urine of an infected mouse that has entered your home or office may contract, and then pass on the disease. Weil's Disease is not known to be spread from person to person.

In humans, Weil's Disease causes a wide range of symptoms, although some infected people appear healthy.

The first phase of Weil's Disease can occur with the abrupt onset of a flu-like illness, with a severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may be resolved without medical treatment.

Some people may develop the second phase, which includes fever, jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, or a rash. In more severe cases, there may be failure of some organs, eg. the kidneys, or meningitis.

Generally, cases of Weil's Disease will recover fully within two to six weeks but some may take up to three months. After infection, immunity develops against the infecting strain, but this may not fully protect against infection with unrelated strains.

General advice includes taking whatever measures are feasible to reduce rodent populations, such as clearing rubbish and preventing rodent access into buildings.

Contact Attack Pest Control today to eliminate your rodent pest problem.