The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing water that has been contaminated by animal urine to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin , eyes or with the mucous membranes .

The infection is commonly transmitted to humans by allowing fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine -LRB- often from rats -RRB- to come in contact with unhealed breaks in the skin , eyes or with the mucous membranes .
