Sir Steve said of Weil's disease: "This is something most rowers know about.

Around 50 cases of Weil's disease - a bacterial infection which is spread by small mammals and rodents - are reported in the UK each year, killing two people in 2006.

Residents are afraid to let young children play outside fearing they may catch the deadly Weil's disease, which is carried in rats' urine.

DON'T listen to health nannies who say the sun gives you cancer, your computer a brain tumour, your Playstation RSI and rolling on soiled grass Weil's Disease, because you'll end up clinically depressed.

But he laughed and carried on his round, not knowing the rat was carrying deadly Weil's Disease.

Weil's disease - leptospirosis, to give its medical name - poses even greater dangers to swimmers.

Symptoms are high fever, chills, headache, jaundice, diarrhea, fatigue, sore throat, joint and muscle pains, rashes, reddish eyes, and abdominal pains to Weil's disease with organ dysfunction.

He said: "You can get Weil's disease [a bacterial infection] from that water and it's really, really bad.

As well as commonly being infected with fleas and other parasites, they carry and can spread a number of diseases such as foot and mouth, salmonella and most commonly, Weil's disease.

The severe form of leptospirosis is called Weil's disease, which causes a continuous fever, stupor and a reduction in the blood's ability to clot leading to bleeding within tissues.

He said: "There are a number of pathogens associated with animal droppings, but Weil's disease would be something which would be worth considering."

While some patients will only experience self-limited symptoms such as mild fever, myalgias, and fatigue, others suffer more severe disease states such as Weil's disease, as highlighted in the case.

Medicine and Physiology BELL'S LAW, CROHN'S DISEASE, DARWIN'S TUBERCLE, DESCEMETS MEMBRANE, GRAVE'S DISEASE, HANSEN'S DISEASE, HUNTINGTON'S CHOREA, JACOBSEN'S CARTILEGE/NERVE/ ORGAN, JOHNE'S BACILLUS, KING'S EVIL (scrofula), KOCH'S BACILLUS/ LAWS/POSTULATES, LEGIONNAIRES' DISEASE, MCBURNEY'S POINT, MORTON'S TOE (a disease), TURK'S CELL, WEIL'S DISEASE, ZENKER'S DEGENERATION

He was seen in follow-up by the Infectious Diseases service and never demonstrated any renal dysfunction, hepatic dysfunction, or coagulopathy suggesting Weil's disease.

"Trolleys retrieved from the brook are at risk of being contaminated with E.Coli and Weil's disease.