Disease has parents worried for daughter

DEAR DOCTOR » Our youngest daughter is starting college in New York City this fall, and on top of all the empty nest emotions my husband and I are dealing with, a friend has warned us about something she saw on the news called “rat urine disease.” What is it? Should we be worried?

Although the news reports your friend saw focused on rats, which are the most common carriers of leptospira in urban environments, the bacterium can be found in a range of animals. These include cattle, pigs, dogs and horses, other rodents, and some wild animals.

Infected animals, which don’t show any disease symptoms, will continue to excrete the bacteria for several months or even several years. Humans become infected when they come into contact with either the urine of an infected animal, or its bodily fluids, other than saliva. You can also pick up the infection from a substance that carries the infected urine or fluids, such as soil, water or trash.

The bacterium typically enters the body through the skin, particularly if it is broken due to a scratch or a cut. It can also enter through the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes or nose. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wide outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to contaminated water, such as floodwaters. Person to person transmission is rare.

If you’re still worried, recommend the following precautions to your daughter:

• Steer clear of rats and their habitats.

• If you do make contact, wash the affected body part thoroughly with soap and water.

• To clean areas where rats may have been, use one part household bleach and 10 parts water, which kills the leptospirosis bacteria. Wear gloves and goggles.

• If you develop symptoms after making contact with suspected rat urine, whether directly or in a rat-infested environment, seek medical care.