Background: Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which may cause multiple non-specific symptoms. Transmission of the disease can occur via rats or surface water infected by rats. The Netherlands have seen a record number of cases of leptospirosis in 2019. Diagnosis is often delayed and not always considered because of the variable clinical presentation of the disease. Surveillance of disease prevention concerning rat breeders is inadequate.
Case description: An 11-year-old girl visited the paediatrician with fever, myalgia and a headache followed by a stiff neck. Two days earlier she was bitten by one of her pet rats. Diagnostic testing confirmed a meningitis caused by leptospirosis-infection. The pet rats were found to be infected with leptospirosis. All rats were euthanized.
Conclusion: Consider the diagnosis leptospirosis in patients with unexplained non-specific symptoms following rat exposure. Information regarding visits to tropical areas and animal exposure is vital. More awareness of zoonoses is needed among physicians and pet breeders.