Weils Disease

Weil's disease, or Leptospirosis, is a zoonosis, a bacterial disease which crosses the species barrier to affect many animals, including rats and man.

Other carriers can include cattle, dogs, horses and pigs. Pet rats have very little opportunity to contract this disease, and if you are not a farmer or engaging in water sports you are more likely to catch it from a pet dog which has been swimming in the local river.

The symptoms in humans are a 'flu-like' illness which can last from a few days to a few weeks, and which like flu is very occasionally fatal. There are around 2 or 3 human deaths from Leptospirosis each year in the UK.

• "Leptospirosis on Wikipedia"