Leptospirosis

A rare disease caused by a type of spirochaete bacterium that is harboured by rodents and excreted in their urine. It is also known as Weil’s disease. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, severe muscle aches, and a skin rash. Kidney and liver damage are also common. Antibiotic drugs are effective treatment but kidney and liver function may recover only slowly. The nervous system may also be affected, often producing signs of meningitis.