Infectious disease alert issued after 17 diagnoses

THE HSE has issued an alert to farmers, people working outdoors and users of lakes, rivers and canals to take precautions against the spread of an infectious disease leptospirosis, which is spread by contact with rat, cow or dog urine.

Seventeen people have been diagnosed so far this year with the condition, which can lead to the potentially fatal Weil’s disease in severe cases.

However, despite the alert, there has been “no recent increase” in incidence of the disease, according to the HSE.