The following letter
has been issued by the BTA:
PO Box 25,
Loughborough University, Leics, LE11 3WX
Tel: 01509-226161
18th September 2007
Dear Competitor
Leptospirosis (Weil's Disease)
We are
writing to notify you that a member of the GB Age Group team was
admitted to hospital last Friday (14th September) as a precaution
for Leptospirosis commonly known as Weil's Disease.
This individual first noticed symptoms on the 12th September 2007.
As Leptospirosis has an
incubation period of between 3-15 days this individual would, if it
is confirmed as a case,
have contracted condition whilst swimming at the World Championships
in Hamburg (2nd
September 2007) or at the Northampton Triathlon on the 9th September
2007.
This has not been confirmed as a case of Leptospirosis and it will
be some two weeks before
the results of tests are known.
As a precaution we would advise all individuals who competed in
Hamburg at the World
Championships and in the Northampton Triathlon to read the
information provided by NHS
Direct below and that anyone developing symptoms of the disease
should consult their
doctor immediately.
Yours sincerely
Norman Brook
CEO
British Triathlon Federation
The following information is provided on the NHS Direct website:
The disease,
Leptospirosis is caused by leptospira bacteria. It is transmitted to
humans by
contact with the urine of rats, cattle, foxes, rodents and other
wild animals, usually by
contact with contaminated soil or water. There are many different
types of leptospira
bacteria, each tends to be associated with a specific animal
species.
The most common ones in the UK are Leptospira hardjo, which is found
in cattle and
Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae, which is associated with rats.
The bacteria, enters the body via cuts to the skin, or via the nose,
mouth or other mucous
membranes.In most cases the infection causes a flu-like illness and
severe headaches. The
severe form of the disease (Weils disease) causes jaundice and liver
damage and carries a reported death rate anywhere between 4 and 40
per cent. Only about 10 to 15 per cent of
affected people suffer this more dangerous form.
Leptospirosis is rare in the UK, and Weils disease extremely rare.
Weils Disease is however a
very serious illness, and must be swiftly diagnosed and treated.
Leptospirosis starts about ten days (it can vary between 7 and 12
days) after infection with
the bacteria, and may be so mild as to be unsuspected. In more
severe cases it starts
suddenly with headache, fever, chills, severe muscle aches and
tenderness, redness of the
eyes, loss of appetite, vomiting and sometimes a skin rash.
Many cases settle after a week or two, but in some the liver,
kidneys, heart muscle and brain
linings (meninges) are affected. Jaundice occurs in only about 10
per cent of cases. Jaundice,
heart failure and meningitis are danger signs.
Other symptoms and signs include:
. Diarrhoea
. Joint pain (arthralgia)
. Bone pain
. Cough
. Sore throat
. Enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly)
. Lymph node enlargement (lymphadenopathy)
. Enlargement of the liver (hepatomegaly)
. Heart beat irregularities
. Internal bleeding
The pain and tenderness in the muscles can be very severe and is an
aid to diagnosis. The
headache is usually intense, sometimes throbbing, and is associated
with severe eye-ache. If
persistent, the headache may indicate leptospiral meningitis.
Some affected people suffer mental disturbances such as delirium,
hallucinations, and even
psychotic behaviour.
The diagnosis is by history of exposure and clinical suspicion.
Blood tests rarely confirm the
illness in time to affect treatment but they may subsequently
confirm it. Treatment with
appropriate antibiotics should be initiated as early as possible.
Untreated cases can progress
to a more severe and potentially fatal stage. The Public Health
Laboratory Service or hospital
consultant microbiologist can offer advice and testing.
Leptospirosis is a notifiable illness in the UK, which means that
the doctor who makes the
diagnosis must notify those responsible for public health in their
area.
Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics such as penicillin,
streptomycin, tetracycline, and
erythromycin. Treatment with these drugs is effective if given
within four to seven days of the onset of the illness. For this
reason, the diagnosis may often have to be made on the
history and clinical signs.
Once organ damage has occurred, antibiotics are less effective and
may even be
undesirable. They may cause a severe reaction due to the release of
toxic substances from
the killed or dying bacteria. This is called a Jarisch-Herxheimer
reaction and it features fever,
chills, headache and muscle pain.
Leptospirosis can be prevented by avoiding water environments that
may be
contaminated with rats urine or the urine of other animals.
If you are involved in farm work, veterinary work, a water sports or
caving enthusiast
you should take extra care (wearing protective clothing, for
example) and be aware
of the symptoms.
