Hunter New England Well being warns of leptospirosis as moist climate attracts rodents to the area | Manning River Instances

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Health officials have warned of a flu-like illness that can spread from animals to humans as mice plague the area. Hunter New England Health (HNEH) urged locals to take precautions against leptospirosis after rats and mice put weight on weight from the damp weather. The disease is transmitted from animals to humans and is caused by bacteria found in infected animal urine and tissues, said David Hurrheim, public health doctor at HNEH. “While leptospirosis is a relatively rare condition in Australia, most cases are reported from rural and regional areas, often due to mouse infestations,” he said. “Outbreaks of the disease usually occur when exposed to water, soil, and mud contaminated with infected animal urine, particularly rodent urine.” The bacteria can enter the body through cuts or abrasions, the lining of the mouth, nose, and eyes – and in rare cases through contaminated food and water. “There have been several abnormal sightings of mice at Manning in the past week. Symptoms usually appear five to 14 days after infection and include fever, severe headache, sore muscles, chills and vomiting, and red eyes. It can be difficult to diagnose since symptoms can mimic other diseases like influenza. Often times, people with leptospirosis do not develop all symptoms. In severe cases, some people may need to be hospitalized for kidney failure, jaundice, or bleeding in the skin and mucous membranes, meningitis, or bleeding in the Lung, said Dr. Durrheim. People in certain occupations are at increased risk, including farmers, veterinarians and slaughterhouse workers. Those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, gardening, bushwalking and water sports are at higher risk. The public can avoid infection, by washing her hands with soap sht, cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof bandages, wear shoes outdoors, clean up trash, and remove rubbish near the home. Contact with water or flooding that could be contaminated with animal urine should be avoided. Leptospirosis is commonly treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin, which are often most effective when started early in the disease. NSW Health also urges people to be careful when using rodenticides. Before using bait, it is important that households verify that their product is suitable for home use by carefully reading the product labels. Agricultural rodenticides can be highly toxic and, if used improperly, cause poisoning.

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February 11, 2021 – 8:00 a.m.

Health officials have warned of a flu-like illness that can spread from animals to humans as mice plague the area.

The disease is transmitted from animals to humans and is caused by bacteria found in infected animal urine and tissues, said David Hurrheim, public health doctor at HNEH.

“While leptospirosis is a relatively rare condition in Australia, most cases are reported from rural and regional areas, often due to mouse infestations,” he said.

“Outbreaks of the disease usually occur when exposed to water, soil, and mud contaminated with infected animal urine, particularly rodent urine.

“The bacteria can enter the body through cuts or abrasions, the lining of the mouth, nose and eyes – and in rare cases through contaminated food and water.”

There have been several abnormal sightings of mice at Manning in the past week.

Symptoms usually develop five to 14 days after infection and include fever, severe headache, sore muscles, chills, vomiting, and red eyes.

Diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms can mimic other illnesses, such as influenza.

Often times, people with leptospirosis do not develop all symptoms.

In severe cases, some people may need to be hospitalized if they have kidney failure, jaundice, bleeding of the skin and mucous membranes, meningitis, or bleeding from the lungs, said Dr. Durrheim.

People in certain occupations are at increased risk, including farmers, veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers.

Those who enjoy outdoor activities like camping, gardening, bush walking, and water sports are at higher risk.

The public can avoid infection by washing their hands with soap, covering cuts and abrasions with waterproof bandages, wearing shoes outdoors, cleaning up rubbish, and removing trash near the home.

Contact with water or flooding that could be contaminated with animal urine should be avoided.

Leptospirosis is commonly treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin, which are often most effective when started early in the disease.

NSW Health also urges people to be careful when using rodenticides.

Before using bait, it is important that households verify that their product is suitable for home use by carefully reading the product labels.

Agricultural rodenticides can be highly toxic and, if used improperly, cause poisoning.