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Communicable Diseases and Epidemiology
Leptospirosis fact sheet
- Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Leptospira that infect both humans and animals.
- Leptospirosis occurs worldwide but is more common in temperate and tropical areas of the world.
- Some people infected with leptispirosis will have no symptoms at all, and some people will become severely ill.
- Some wild and domestic animals, such as cattle, pigs, dogs, raccoons, and rodents, carry the Leptospira bacteria and pass them in their urine. Not all animals become sick when they are infected with Leptospira bacteria.
What are the symptoms of leptospirosis?
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- Symptoms usually develop between 7 and 14 days (range 2 to 30 days) after coming into contact with Leptospira bacteria. The illness lasts from a few days to several weeks. Most people have mild disease.
- Initial symptoms can include:
- Fever, which may start suddenly
- Severe headache
- Pain in legs and back
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- In some people, the illness improves briefly before they develop more severe illness. Signs of severe illness include:
- Anemia (low number of red blood cells)
- Liver and kidney failure (Weil’s disease)
- Meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain)
- Mental confusion and depression.
- People get infected when water contaminated with the urine of infected animals gets on their skin, or in their nose, mouth, throat, or eyes. People can also get infected by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food.
- Examples of ways people can get exposed include:
- Recreational activities such as swimming, canoeing, or participating in open water events, such as triathlons, or adventure racing.
- Farmers, rice and sugarcane field workers, miners, slaughterhouse and sewer workers, and veterinarians may be at risk through their occupation.
- Leptospirosis is rarely spread from person to person.
- Leptospirosis is diagnosed by testing blood or urine.
- People who think they may have leptospirosis should see a health care provider immediately.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce symptoms and duration of disease.
- Avoid contact with water, soil and vegetation contaminated with urine from animals.
- Avoid direct contact with urine from animals. Wear gloves if contact with urine is likely to occur, and wash hands after any exposure to urine from animals.
- Wear protective clothing and footwear in areas possibly contaminated with urine from animals.
- Vaccinate farm animals and dogs for leptospirosis (however, the vaccination may not protect against all types of Leptospira bacteria.)
- Control rodents around the home and in recreational areas with human presence.
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