Water Borne Infections - Advice

[Elton]

Stuff every angler should know, maybe, but a contact at the EA just sent this HPA leaflet through.

 

Please click the link below to download the pdf file:

 

HPA Information on water borne infections.pdf

 

[Steve Burke]

Cheers, Elton.

[RUDD]

I wonder how many anglers wash their hands or use anti bacteria hand cleaner before eating their lunch whilst out on the bank?

[Andy_1984]

I wonder how many anglers wash their hands or use anti bacteria hand cleaner before eating their lunch whilst out on the bank?

 

not a lot its only maggots, groundbait and hopefully some fish slime

[matt19norwich]

I have started using antibacterial hand wash when I go fishing. Especially when I start making lunch!

 

Matt

[Steve Walker]

I would imagine that the biggest risk is Weil's disease, and that the most likely route of infection is through direct contact with broken skin. You can catch it through contact between infected water and the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth, but for that route of transmission I suspect that we are talking more about falling in and getting a gobful, than eating a sandwich without washing your hands. There are things you can pick up that way, and potentially lots of unpleasant bacteria on your maggots, but worst case is mostly likely to result in projectile emissions at both ends rather than hospitalisation. I do carry a little bottle of hand sanitiser these days, but I've done a lot of fishing without it!

[John S]

Don't forget, a few years ago someone's father logged on to thank us for possibly saving his sons life. Apparently he came down with flu-like symptoms and remembered us talking about Weil's disease, so informed his doctor. Tests were immediately made and yes, he'd caught it. Fortunately, by lurking on here and reading about it, it was caught early enough.

 

I always carry some antibiotic hand-wash with me when fishing, you can't be too careful.

[davedave]

I usedt to use antibacterial stuff on my hands but it left such a strong alcoholy ethanolly scent on my hands I was concerned it might put the fish off if it rubbed of onto my bait. Stupid I know but just never bothered to use it after that. On any water you fish there's a 99% chance that there's some rat weewee in it but I always assumed it would be such a small amount compared to the huge dilution of water that it wouldn't matter

 

dave

[Phone]

All,

 

A great reminder to use common sense!

 

Leptospirosis (Weils) is not the one you should be overly concerned with. Just remember you went fishing before you got sick. More likely to get a dose of the "puke and poop".

 

Leptospirosis (Weils) has about 200 isolates, each being slightly different so it is unknown exactly what an infective dose may be. It is a mistake to think rats are the source. Humans, domestic (i.e.cows; dogs) and wild animals are also potential sources.

 

Phone

Having said that - I'm really crummy at treating hook point pricks. I usually suck blood if I can reach the wound. Probably bad idea.