| 10 September 2008 |
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Leptospirosis
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What is leptospirosis ?
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals. In overseas countries, it usually occurs in people who work outdoors or with animals, like farmers, veterinarians, or sewer workers, and people who participate in recreational activities like swimming, hiking, canoeing, sailing, or fishing.
Causative agent
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. They may be free-living or associated with animal hosts and survive well in fresh water, soil, and mud in tropical areas. Animal hosts include cattle, pigs, horses, dogs, rodents and wild animals.
Mode of transmission
Leptospirosis is transmitted from animals to humans through the contact of skin, especially mucosal surfaces of eyes or nose, or broken skin. Indirect transmission via contact with Leptospira contaminated water or soil, is thought to be responsible for most cases. Direct contact with urine or tissues of infected animals, or occasionally consumption of contaminated water or food can also cause the infection. The disease is normally not transmitted from person to person.
Incubation period
The incubation period usually is 5-14 days, with a range of 2-30 days.
Clinical features
Symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, muscle pain, and vomiting, and may include jaundice, red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or rash. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs. The duration of illness ranges from a few days to three weeks or longer. Recovery of untreated cases can take several months.
Treatment
Leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics.
Prevention
- Reducing both direct contact with infected pets and animals and indirect contact with animal urine-contaminated fresh water, soil, and mud is the most effective prevention means.
- For people with high occupational risk like workers in rice fields, sugar cane plantations, mines, sewer systems, and slaughterhouses; animal caretakers and veterinarians, wearing of protective clothing, such as impermeable gloves and high rubber boots, is recommended.
- Avoid swimming, rafting or wading in water that might be contaminated.
- Immunization of pets (e.g. dogs) with Leptospira vaccines may prevent and reduce the transmission of the disease but vaccination is not completely effective due to a limited coverage in the vaccine for the numerous types of the organism.
- Wash hands after handling the pets or animals, and disinfect contaminated areas with a solution of 1 part household bleach in 10 parts water.
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