Surviving a Close Call: Jack Osbourne's Near-Death Experience with Rat Urine and a Deadly Disease

Jack Osbourne Says He Nearly Died After Stepping in Rat Pee and Contracting Life Threatening Disease

Jack Osbourne Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images

Jack Osbourne, host of "The Osbournes Want to Believe," recently shared a scary experience on the "The Osbournes Podcast." He talked about a time when he almost died after accidentally stepping in a puddle that had rat urine.

During the episode that aired on Tuesday, April 23, Jack, along with his sister Kelly Osbourne, and their parents Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, also talked about their own close calls with death.

He shared, "I got leptospirosis, which is like a crazy viral disease. Yeah, that was rough. I had been filming in Bario, Malaysia, and we were trekking through the jungle. When I came out of the jungle, I got really sick, and it took about two weeks for me to recover."

According to the Cleveland Clinic, leptospirosis can be contracted by coming into contact with water or soil contaminated by animal urine through the nose, mouth, eyes, or a break in the skin. The disease can initially present as flu-like symptoms and can progress to Weil's syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition, in a small percentage of cases.

Jack continued his story by sharing that he began experiencing symptoms of an illness after leaving Malaysia and while on a trip to Finland. He emphasized, "I literally felt like I was dying. This wasn't just something fake."

Following his medical evacuation to a university hospital in Helsinki, Jack mentioned that he had to be transferred to London due to the language barrier.

Jack Osbourne Says He Nearly Died After Stepping in Rat Pee and Contracting Life Threatening Disease

Kelly Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Jack Osbourne Karwai Tang/WireImage

He shared, "I was five days deep into my body giving up on me, lying in bed without eating, and my kidneys and liver were starting to fail. I felt like I was losing my mind."

After six doctors couldn't determine what was wrong, Jack finally received a proper diagnosis from the head of tropical diseases at the NHS.

Jack shared that he had contracted Weil’s disease, also known as leptospirosis, due to leech bites on the bottom of his feet. He explained that he had been swimming and bathing in a river, climbing on rocks, and jumping into a jungle river when he unknowingly stepped in a puddle on a boulder that had rat’s urine in it.

Another member of the Osbourne family, Kelly, 39, also recounted a frightening incident from her past. She recalled the time she "almost died" after her brother accidentally shot her with a pellet gun while their parents were in New York filming the 1995 movie, The Jerky Boys.

The former Fashion Police cohost remembered the intense pain when the object went through her leg, feeling like a hot poker burning through quickly.

The Osbourne family became famous in 2002 with their MTV reality show, The Osbournes, which won them an Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Program (Reality) that year.

They started their podcast with a 20-episode first season back in 2018. However, the project took a break until September of last year. During this time, they revealed their plans to come back to the studio for the second season of the show.

In their announcement, the family assured their listeners that they would be exploring topics such as celebrity, true crime, rock and roll, culture, and whatever else they feel like discussing.

Editor's P/S:

Jack Osbourne's near-death experience due to leptospirosis highlights the often overlooked dangers of exposure to contaminated water and soil. The disease, which is typically spread through contact with animal urine, can progress to life-threatening Weil's syndrome in severe cases. Osbourne's story emphasizes the importance of seeking prompt medical attention if symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and vomiting develop after potential exposure. Additionally, the incident underscores the need for adequate precautions, such as wearing protective footwear and avoiding contact with potentially contaminated sources, when engaging in outdoor activities.

The article also provides a glimpse into the close-knit bond within the Osbourne family, as Kelly Osbourne recounted an incident where she was accidentally shot by her brother. While the family has experienced both humorous and challenging situations over the years, their resilience and support for one another remain evident. Their decision to share their personal stories on their podcast not only entertains listeners but also raises awareness about important topics, fostering a sense of community and demonstrating that even celebrities are not immune to life's unexpected turns.