Leptospirosis?!

[Duchesskitty]

Hello all. I’m having a bit of a freak out as I was having a meal in my parents garden when we saw a rat run through the plants in the border.
They have never had rats before and it seemed to be going to the bird feeder for seeds. It was about a metre away from us and I didn’t touch it.
Now what I’m worried about is that the rat may have climbed onto the picnic table and contaminated it with bacteria and that I am going to get sick with leptospirosis. My dad said he wiped the table top down earlier today but I’m worried that maybe he didn’t do it properly or missed a spot as my knife and fork were on the table!!
AIBU or is there actually any danger?!

[Fishmanpa]

Another thing I never heard of in all the time I've been here. Dr. Google is not your friend!

Positive thoughts

[Duchesskitty]

I only know of it’s existence thanks to a food hygiene course I did a while back. Maybe a bit of knowledge is dangerous!
I feel a bit sick now after seeing the little critter

[nomorepanic]

I had rats in the garden but never heard of this disease.

You will be fine.

[Pamplemousse]

I had rats in the garden but never heard of this disease.

You will be fine.

Perhaps better known as Weil's disease.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/leptospirosis/

Comparing what the NHS says with the OP's post, I'd say chances of catching it are zero.

[Lolalee1]

I just heard Ben by Micheal Jackson isn’t that song about a rat?:D

[ankietyjoe]

They have never had rats before


Lol

They have.


Wherever you are in the UK, there are probably 20 rats within 50ft of you. There are more rats than people in the UK.

[Pamplemousse]

Want to get rid of rats? Get rid of the bird feeder. The dropped seeds, nuts and the like are easy feeding for them.

[Nighttime pacer]

Hi,
This has been a worry of mine in the past. The thing is from what I’ve read is that Weil’s disease which is what you’re worried about is water based and spread in eat urine. Even if the rat had urinated on the table once the urine has been dried for an hour, the bacteria is dead. I’m sure you don’t have to worry.