Quote:
Originally Posted by robguz24
I'm willing to take my chances that a rat did not pee on the male flowers that opened that morning, making contact with the somewhat protected glob of nectar. My dogs get lepto vaccines, why can't I get one?
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I would not take that risk, I always wash my hands after touching a banana plant. Being in the morning just increases the risk because of the dew.
Leptospirosis is a serious problem on banana farms and it seems crazy to take that risk but I'm guessing you don't personally know someone affected by this. It's a common topic among farmers and most people here are probably just more conscious of it.
If you do a search, you'll find better info.
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/ph/docu...tphn/29073.pdf
"On average, about two thirds of notified cases
of leptospirosis from the Innisfail/Tully area are
banana workers.
This is because the leptospirosis bacteria thrives in wet
conditions, and because banana farming involves lots of
exposure to soil and water that may be contaminated
with animal urine. Leptospirosis is most probably spread by rodents on banana farms – but bats,
pigs, dogs, frogs and bandicoots could also be involved.
Banana workers who don’t wear protective clothing (boots or shoes, long sleeved clothing, gloves),
and who don’t wash their hands frequently and thoroughly, are most at risk of catching leptospirosis.
Smokers are at greater risk because their hands are always going to their mouths.
There are 23 strains of leptospirosis bacteria in Australia (and over 230 strains worldwide).
Unfortunately there is no vaccine to cover all the strains of leptospirosis in the Innisfail/Tully area."