A middle-aged Dublin man died of leptospirosis or Weill's disease, Dublin City Coroner's Court was told yesterday.
Mr Brendan Sherry (48) was found ill in his flat at Bunting Road, Dublin, on December 3rd last by his brother. The following day his condition had worsened and he was taken by ambulance to St James' Hospital where he died in the early hours of December 5th.
A post-mortem examination showed that death was due to leptospirosis. On admission to hospital Mr Sherry was asked if he had been in contact with rats and denied he had.
Mr Willie Sherry said his brother suffered from epilepsy and did not remember if he had a fit. The Coroner, Dr Brian Farrell, said the disease was transmitted by a rat bite, rat urine or contact with contaminated water.
He returned a verdict of death by misadventure and said it was unclear from the evidence available how the disease had been contracted.