weston branch
25th July 2007, 03:06 PM
this info for our glos friends.
Pitchcare Newsflash – Risk from Flooding
The Sports Turf Research Institute has asked Pitchcare to alert all turf professionals and their managers and employers of the potential dangers of dealing with floodwater and/or silt.
Some of you may be aware of Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) but following a recent case associated with the flooding in Sheffield, it is important to remind people of the risks.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection carried in the urine of a number of animals including (among others) pigs, cattle, horses, dogs and rodents. It can be transmitted by swallowing or coming into contact with contaminated water (e.g. during the clean-up) or handling food after coming contact with the bacteria.
There is always a risk of infection when investigating drains, ditches & manholes which may be populated by large numbers of rats - important carriers of the disease.
IMPORTANT: The risk is higher during or following flooding when contaminated water may be dispersed over a wide area and where there is a possibility that populations of rats may be displaced by the flooding - carrying the disease to new areas. Although the disease is not common it is important that everyone is aware and appropriate precautions are taken including the use of protective clothing.
As a minimum, protective gloves and waterproofs should be worn during the clean-up. Face masks may be warranted in some cases.
For further information can be obtained via the following links:
www.leptospirosis.org
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.pdf
Pitchcare Newsflash – Risk from Flooding
The Sports Turf Research Institute has asked Pitchcare to alert all turf professionals and their managers and employers of the potential dangers of dealing with floodwater and/or silt.
Some of you may be aware of Leptospirosis (Weil's disease) but following a recent case associated with the flooding in Sheffield, it is important to remind people of the risks.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection carried in the urine of a number of animals including (among others) pigs, cattle, horses, dogs and rodents. It can be transmitted by swallowing or coming into contact with contaminated water (e.g. during the clean-up) or handling food after coming contact with the bacteria.
There is always a risk of infection when investigating drains, ditches & manholes which may be populated by large numbers of rats - important carriers of the disease.
IMPORTANT: The risk is higher during or following flooding when contaminated water may be dispersed over a wide area and where there is a possibility that populations of rats may be displaced by the flooding - carrying the disease to new areas. Although the disease is not common it is important that everyone is aware and appropriate precautions are taken including the use of protective clothing.
As a minimum, protective gloves and waterproofs should be worn during the clean-up. Face masks may be warranted in some cases.
For further information can be obtained via the following links:
www.leptospirosis.org
www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg84.pdf