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Leptospirosis
What bacteria cause leptospirosis?
- Bacteria belonging to Leptospira interrogans (see picture below)
- L. interrogans is further divided into serovars
(types), such as pomona, hardjo, and canicola
- Leptospirosis is a zoonotic
disease
A microscopic view of LeptospiraI bacteria stained
apple green with a fluorescent dye (from the CDC’s Public
Health Image Library)
What animals can spread leptospirosis to humans?
- Many different animals may carry Leptospira interrogans, such
as cattle (primarily the hardjo serovar),
pigs (primarily the pomona serovar),
horses (primarily the bratislava serovar),
dogs (primarily the canicola serovar),
and rodents (primarily the icterohaemorrhagiae serovar)
- Wild animals, including raccoons, opossums, and skunks, may
also carry the bacteria
How do the animals get infected?
- Animals become infected through contact with water, food, or
soil which has been contaminated with urine from infected animals
How are Leptospira transmitted to humans?
- Humans become infected the same way as animals, through contact
with materials that have been contaminated with urine from infected
animals
- Infection may also occur through swallowing contaminated water
for through contact with broken skin, especially through the eyes
and nose
- Person-to-person spread of leptospirosis has not been documented
What are the symptoms of leptospirosis in humans?
- Symptoms depend on the serovar
and are often nonspecific. They may include the following:
- Fever
- Headache
- Chills
- Muscle aches
- Vomiting<
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- Jaundice (yellow color)
- Anemia
- Rash (sometimes)
- If not treated, infected individuals may develop kidney damage,
meningitis (inflammation of the tissues that cover the brain),
liver failure, or breathing difficulties
- Up to 20% of infected humans may die
Who is most at risk for leptospirosis?
- People whose occupation involves contact with animals (especially
rats), including farmers, veterinarians, and sewer workers
How can leptospirosis be prevented?
- Good sanitation and handwashing prevents leptospirosis
- Do not swim or wade in water that might be contaminated with
animal urine
- Use boots and gloves when working in places that may be contaminated
with animal urine
- Rodent control can also minimize the risk to humans
- Ensure that domestic animals and livestock are properly vaccinated
- There is no vaccine available for humans
Additional information:
Pet dogs may often come into contact with Leptospira because of
their outdoor activities that may expose them to contaminated water
or soil. Therefore, Leptospira infections in dogs are not uncommon.
Direct transmission from dogs to their owners has been rarely documented,
but is still a risk. Owners of infected dogs should work with a
veterinarian and their local health department to appropriately
treat the infection, use care when handling the dog’s urine,
and avoid taking the dog to parks, beaches, or other waterways until
the infection is cleared, to avoid infecting other animals or people
Links:
CDC
website: leptospirosis information Return
to Bacterial Infections
Return to CVPH Home Page
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