Wheels disease

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

Can you get Wheels disease from putting droppers on with your teeth ?

[TF_Kagger TNB]

Wheels disease?

Are the symptoms feeling unbalanced, perhaps deflated, and perhaps going bald?

[TF_Kagger TNB]

…but seriously, it would appear that the answer is yes

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

[TF_pedro1098]

i know a guy who nearly lost his life to it,the place he fished had problem with rats which had something to do with the water,i carnt remember but i cut on his hand was the problem of food while fishing..

[TF_badgerParticipant]

You might also get lead poisoning.

[TF_pr@ngler]

You would be very unlucky to get Weil’s disease whilst biting shot onto the line. The risk of infection is in proportion to the amount of water transmitted, which is very little in this case. Overall, infection is rare in humans in the UK.

More chance of being injured in a traffic accident on the way there. Much more chance of dying from tobacco related disease if you smoke.

[TF_geepsterParticipant]

There’s a new product out aimed at anglers called Dr Weils: http://www.drweils.co.uk/

I was interested to read that one of GB’s Olympic rowing medallists died of Weil’s Disease – I didn’t know that….

[TF_wightangler]

recall Martin Bowler contracted it whilst filming ‘catching the impossible’ – rather ironic

[TF_D.W.]

@wightangler wrote:

recall Martin Bowler contracted it whilst filming ‘catching the impossible’ – rather ironic

I thought it was Lymes Disease from a tick??

[TF_jaap stam]

Nasty disease, any one involved in water sports should inform their GP, so they can be aware ,if any flu like symptons are experianced.

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

Thanks for the replies, lots to think about I might get lead poisoning also now.

[TF_Micky209]

Hear lots of different views on this subject.
If its running water there is less chance, but a small lake or pond has a greater chance
If you wash your hands regular there is less chance/good personal hygiene.
If your immune system is weak your likely to be at greater risk.
Those that visit the water regular are less likely to be at risk than those that make less frequent visits.
All of it arguable

[TF_pr@ngler]

You’re right that some of it’s arguable!

A key thing to remember is that the disease is uncommon in the UK, on top of that most cases are mild or unnoticed with only a minority of infections resulting in serious illness. Some thoughts below. In caps to stand out, not shouting.

If its running water there is less chance, but a small lake or pond has a greater chance. YES, BECAUSE RUNNING WATER WILL DILUTE THE CONCENTRATION OF THE BUG IN THE WATER (IE WASH IT AWAY) WHEREAS IN A SMALL ENCLOSED POND THERE IS NOWHERE FOR THE BUG TO GO. ALSO, SMALL PONDS MAY BE ON FARMS, WITH THE WATER BEING CONTAMINATED BY LIVESTOCK, WHICH WOULD INCREASE THE RISK.

If you wash your hands regular there is less chance/good personal hygiene. IMPROVED PERSONAL HYGIENE REDUCES THE RISK (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19208981), BUT THE PRIMARY RISK WOULD BE THROUGH GETTING INFECTED WATER INTO A CUT, WHICH MAY NOT BE REDUCED BY HAND HYGIENE

If your immune system is weak your likely to be at greater risk. PROBABLY TRUE, BUT THE BEST PART OF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS THE BARRIER CREATED BY INTACT SKIN. IT MAY BE THAT A WEAK IMMUNE SYSTEM MEANS YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET A SEVERE INFECTION RATHER THAN A MILD ONE.

Those that visit the water regular are less likely to be at risk than those that make less frequent visits. DEPENDS WHAT YOU MEAN BY ‘RISK’. IF YOU VISIT THE WATER YOU ARE MORE LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER THE BUG, WHICH MIGHT MEAN YOU GET A SUBCLINICAL INFECTION AND SO DEVELOP IMMUNITY. HOWEVER, YOU CAN’T PREDICT WHETHER YOU WILL HAVE A MILD INFECTION OR A SEVERE ONE.

ONE THING THAT WOULD THE REDUCE RISK IS LESS URINARY CONTAMINATION OF THE WATER. ON A COMMERCIAL FISHERY THE MOST LIKELY URINARY CONTAMINATION IS FROM RATS. REDUCING THE RAT POPULATION ROUND WATERS IS THEREFORE POSSIBLY AN EFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE STRATEGY. TAKING OLD BAIT AND FOOD HOME AFTER A DAYS FISHING SEEMS WISE.

[TF_AnthonywatersParticipant]

Its hard to get rid of rats there everywhere

[TF_pr@ngler]

@Anthonywaters wrote:

Its hard to get rid of rats there everywhere

In infection control its best to think about reducing risk rather than eliminating it, which as you say, is impossible. So, if there are loads of rats then there will be more likelihood of the Leptospira in the water.

[TF_mike pattinson]

This info is from information I prepared for some work being done to improve a pond habitat.

What is leptospirosis (Weil’s disease)?[/b] There are two types of leptospirosis infection that can affect people in the UK.

Weil’s disease – This is a serious and sometimes fatal infection that is transmitted to humans by contact with urine from infected rats.

The Hardjo form of leptospirosis – This is transmitted from cattle to humans.

What are the symptoms?
Both diseases start with a flu-like illness with a persistent and severe headache, which can lead to vomiting and muscle pains and ultimately to jaundice, meningitis and kidney failure. In rare cases the diseases can be fatal.

Who is at risk?
Anyone who is exposed to rats, rat or cattle urine or to fetal fluids from cattle is at risk. Farmers are now the main group at risk for both Weil’s disease and cattle leptospirosis: the cattle form is a special risk for dairy farmers.

People in contact with canal and river water are also at risk.

How might I catch it?
The bacteria can get into your body through cuts and scratches and through the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes after contact with infected urine or contaminated water, such as in sewers, ditches, ponds and slow-flowing rivers. People working in dairy parlours are often in contact with cattle urine. Rat urine may also contaminate animal feed stuffs on farms.

How can I prevent it?
Get rid of rats. Don’t touch them with unprotected hands. Wash cuts and grazes immediately with soap and running water and cover all cuts and broken skin with waterproof plasters before and during activity.

Always wash your hands before eating, drinking or smoking.

What else should I do?
Report any illness to your doctor. Tell the doctor about hobby, Leptospirosis is much less severe if it is treated promptly.

[TF_pr@ngler]

That’s good advice Mike.

Just one slight change I’d recommend. I think you’ll find that God’s own country is Yorkshire.

[Author]

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