Increasing awareness of a nasty disease…
Increasing awareness of a nasty disease…
IGNORANCE over the cattle disease leptospirosis is putting farmers lives at risk.
That was the stark warning from Dr Marina Morgan of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, speaking at the first of a series of meetings aimed at raising awareness of the disease.
Farmers are a "high-risk" group for the disease which is spread in animal urine, with more than 50 people in England and Wales contracting it every year.
Doctors can find it hard to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to common illnesses like flu. But leptospirosis can become life-threatening – developing into jaundice, kidney failure or meningitis, she warns.
She urged people at risk to carry a warning card to be shown to their GP when they visit. "Go to your doctor if you are worried and dont be fobbed off."
Details of the meetings which run nationwide until the end of April, organised by the Womens Farming Union and Schering-Plough Animal Health, are available on 01895 626416.
PRECAUTIONS
Avoid contact with
cattle or rat urine.
Vaccinate cattle.
Control vermin.
Cover wounds with
waterproof plasters.
Avoid brackish water if
you are a water sports
enthusiast.