I would think that leptorpirosis, transmitted through rat urine would be something to consider. PhilW

This link might be useful: http://www.campus.manche...e/animal_allergens-g.pdf

In addition to leptorpirosis you also need to consider that there is a known problem of allergies when handling rodents. Its worth checking out the HSE website on animal allergies. http://www.hse.gov.uk/asthma/laboratory.htm You don’t say why you are using the animals. IF you are causing them any harm or distress you may need to consider if you are triggering the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 http://scienceandresearc....gov.uk/animal-research/

I should have added that the Animal Welfare Act will also impact on the use of animals www.rspca.org.uk/servlet...g=animalwelfareactadvice www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/act...df/ukpga_20060045_en.pdf

Do we get hantavirus in the UK? I know north american mice carry it and that it can be fatal, but I don't know if we get it over here, John

The DEFRA website may be worth a look. http://www.defra.gov.uk/...atoz/zoonoses/common.htm Presumably if they are not lab animals you do not need to worry about animals rights activists.

Oops also forgot to say that reptiles can get ticks too - so you can get various diseases from the tick i.e. Lyme disease. Hope that helps Kath

Reptiles also can have salmonella - care needs to be taken when handling them and washing their tanks and vivariums. As they are at college no young or old people to worry about but immunosupressed need to be careful. Many also harbour large numbers of protozoal organisms, which may infest humans, and cause a range of infections - so scrupulous hygiene if there are any open cuts or wounds or person is scratched. Few reptiles get ticks unless they come from the wild which is unlikely. Whilst all mentioned have their own little specialist 'infections' a policy of good hygiene, reporting even small cuts so first aid can clean them properly and it sounds daft but showing students how to wash their hands properly is a good idea - the industrial soap manufacturers are a good bet here.