Rat bite almost kills man

A man struck down with the rare 'rat bite fever' has told how lucky he feels to have survived after reaching phase four of the infection.

Vomiting, headaches and a rash form the early stages of the disease - officially known as Streptobacillus moniliformis - followed by pains in the wrists, hands and other joints. Chris Hammond had reached that stage before doctors realised what was making him ill.

If they hadn't caught it when they did, it could have gone on to cause organ failure - and potentially even death.

Worldwide, the disease proves fatal for one in four people who contract it.

A man who nearly died after contracting a rare infection from a rat bite said he had been feeding and stroking the pet rat before it attacked.

Chris Hammond was even tested for meningitis as his condition initially baffled doctors.

It was not until about a week later they diagnosed him with Streptobacillus moniliformis, or rat bite fever.

A doctor from the hospital which saved a man from a fatal infection caused by a rat bite, says pet owners need to be aware of the dangers.

Dr Martin Wiselka from the Leicester Royal infirmary, says that although rat bite fever is very rare, many rodents do carry the deadly bacteria in their saliva.

Read: Man survives potentially fatal rat bite

A man from Leicester is lucky to be alive after catching a rare disease when he was bitten by a rat.

Chris Hammond, who's from South Wigston, was feeding his friend's pet when it bit him on the hand.

Days later he developed streptobacillosis, known as rat bite fever, which can attack the internal organs. It's caused when bacteria in a rat's saliva enters into the human blood stream.

Mr Hammond went to hospital when his joints became painful and stiff.

Doctors spotted the illness before its lethal stage and Chris is now recovering at home on antibiotics.