Australia: 2011 Leptospirosis cases/alerts

[Ronan Kelly]

Rat pee gives crocodile park gardener Nathan Trevena leptospirosis
By Meagan Dillon From: Northern Territory News April 06, 2011 8:59AM

A YOUNG Northern Territorian was diagnosed with a potentially deadly disease after collecting crocodile eggs in a Top End swamp.
Crocodylus Park landscaper Nathan Trevena said he got leptospirosis after collecting croc eggs from nests in Melacca swamp - about 60km southeast of Darwin - in December, the NT News reports.

But he said he wasn't wearing any gloves. "I obviously had cuts on my hands," he said.

Park zoo keeper John Pomeroy said the 21-year-old got the disease from cutting his hands on sawgrass and then putting his hands in the contaminated swamp water.

"(The disease) is from rat's urine in water," he said.

He said almost every employee at the croc park has had the disease but had now built up an immunity to it. "We've all had it at some stage," he said.

...

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-new...is/story-e6frfku0-1226034491328#ixzz1IjqUCh4h

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Australia: 2011 Leptospirosis cases/alerts

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/21/3197611.htm

Mice plague sparks rare disease outbreak
Posted 2 hours 28 minutes ago

An outbreak of a rare disease spread by mice has prompted a warning by health authorities for local farmers to cover up.

Four cases of leptospirosis have been confirmed in the Murrumbidgee Local Health Network.

Public Health Director Tracey Oakman said the mouse borne disease has similar symptoms to the common flu.

Ms Oakman said farmers are particularly susceptible in the mouse plague, as the infection happens when open wounds come in contact with mouse urine...

 

[Shiloh]

Re: Australia: 2011 Leptospirosis cases/alerts

Note: This is an audio report...click below to listen

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-03-...he-wake-of-the-queensland/3903460?section=qld


Rare disease emerges in the wake of the Queensland floods
Posted March 21, 2012 08:04:00

Queensland is experiencing a significant outbreak of the rare but dangerous disease Leptospirosis in the aftermath of the floods. Early diagnosis is crucial but many health professionals remain unaware of the disease...