Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis)          

Weil's Disease (Leptospirosis) can be a serious risk to anglers and in some (rare) cases can be fatal. The following description is taken from another web site and is provided for the information of members. Many anglers are now using the alcohol based hand cleaning gels available from Tackle Shops, Boots and ASDA to disinfect their hands prior to eating etc.

Weil's disease is an infection carried in rats urine which contaminates water and banks of lakes, ponds and rivers. The disease, which is notifiable. is serious and requires hospital treatment. Symptoms start 3 to 19 days after exposure to contaminated water. Early symptoms are similar to 'Flu'. So go see a doctor and and say that you have been near water that may be contaminated with Weil's disease and ask the doctor  for a blood test to be carried out.

 

 A few sensible precautions:

 

DO cover with waterproof plasters or gloves all scratches, cuts, sores and breaks in the skin. Disinfect any wounds as soon as possible if they occur whilst at the waterside.

ALWAYS wash your hands or cover food with a wrapper before you eat.

NEVER put your hand to your mouth after immersion in river water and never place bait or fishing line in the mouth.

DON'T touch any dead animal especially rats.

NEVER leave food, groundbait or bait on the bankside.       

AND ALWAYS, ALWAYS TAKE YOUR RUBBISH HOME

 

Symptoms:

•     An attack of Weil's Disease resembles a cold or flu in the initial stages. The incubation period is from 3 to 19 days

•     Early Symptoms are: Fever, Muscular aches and pains, lost of appetite, nausea when lying down.

•     Later Symptoms may include: Bruising of the skin, Sore eyes, Nose bleeds, Jaundice.

•     The fever lasts for approximately five days, then a significant deterioration follows.

•     If untreated, Weil's Disease can be serious and or become FATAL

If  you become ill a few days after a fishing trip, and you have any of the above symptoms, it is extremely important to contact your doctor as soon as possible. You must tell your doctor that you suspect Weil's Disease, as many of them do not associate it with influenza symptoms without a helpful hint. Treatment with antibiotics is only effective if started rapidly after symptoms develop.

A blood test is conducted to determine the presence of Weil's Disease, the Public Health Laboratory (PHL), receiving the test should perform an ELISA test for Leptospirosis. If in the United Kingdom, and the local PHL cannot perform and ELISA test, the sample should be sent to: The Leptospirosis Reference Unit, Public Health Laboratory, County Hospital, Hereford HR1 2ER. Telephone 0432 277707.

 Note* This contact is for UK use only, by the doctor or PHL staff only.

Weil's Disease is a notifiable illness in the UK and it is essential to disclose a confirmed case to the local Public Health office, who will need to know where you believe it was caught.

Giant Hogweed  Heracleum mantegazzianum

This summer there was a dramatic increase in the amount of Giant Hogweed growing in the Medway catchment. There were a number of very large plants on the River Beult at Yalding, more especially on the downstream section.

The plants can grow to over 5m in height with hollow stems several inches thick. They are one of the first plants to appear in spring and have large, bright green leaves with jagged, spiky ends. The stem is bristly with red blotches. Contact with the plant’s sap can cause serious burns when the affected area is exposed to the sun.

If you are affected, wash the skin immediately and seek medical advice. The plants at Yalding were sprayed by the Medway Valley Countryside Partnership which is sponsored by Kent CC, Maidstone BC, Tonbridge & Malling BC and the Environment Agency. With this sponsorship the MVCP undertake an annual spay throughout the Medway catchment and the Society would like to express its gratitude for their Giant Hogweed Control Programme.

 

Power Lines

LOOK OUT ! – LOOK UP ! 

ADVICE ON SAFE FISHING NEAR OVERHEAD ELECTRIC POWER LINES

Several people have died and others have been seriously injured whilst using carbon fibre rod and poles near overhead power lines. The following advice is designed to prevent these events happening. 

1. Because rods and poles containing carbon fibre conduct electricity, they are particularly dangerous when used near overhead electric power lines. Remember that electricity can jump gaps and a rod does not even have to touch an electric line to cause a lethal current to flow.
2. Many overhead electric power lines are supported by wooden poles which could be mistaken for telegraph poles. These overhead lines may carry electricity up to 132,000 volts
3. The height of high voltage overhead power lines can be as low as 17ft and they are therefore within easy reach of carbon fibre rod or pole. Remember that overhead lines may not be readily visible from the ground. They may be concealed by hedges or by a dark background. Make sure you “look out” and “look up” to check for overhead lines before fishing begins.
4. In general, the minimum safe fishing distance from an overhead electric power line is two rod/pole lengths from the overhead line (measured along the ground).
5. When pegging out for matches or competitions, organisers and competitors should, in general, ensure that no peg is nearer to an overhead electric power line than 30 metres (measured along the ground).
6. For further advice on safe fishing at specific locations please contact your local Electricity Board.
7.  Finally, remember that is dangerous for any object to get too close to overhead electric power lines, particularly if they object is an electrical conductor, e.g. a lead cored fishing line or damp fishing line or rod.

Published by the Electricity Council in consultation with Electricity Boards, Angling Trade Association, National Federation of Anglers, Water Authorities Associations and British Waterways Board

Return to contents