Leptospirosis
Ashley Morgan
What is it?
- One of the common zoonatic diseases
- Also known as Weil's Syndrome, 7 Day Fever, Rat Catcher's Yellows and Black Jaundice
- Transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans
- Human to human transmission is rare
- Rodents were the first recognized carriers
- Virtually all mammals can harbor it, commonly found in rodents, cattle, horses, pigs and dogs
Symptoms
- Usually develop 7-14 after infection
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Depression
- Weakness
- Stiffness
- Muscle Pain
- Jaundice
- Severe cases may develop kidney damage
- Meningitis
- Liver Failure
- Death
Rattus norvegicus
Common Brown Rat, common carrier of Leptospirosis.
Leptospirosis
Scanning Electron Micrograph
Aquatic
Leptospirosis is a naturally aquatic organism. Infections are spread through contaminated water or infected fluids.
Diagnosis
- Many symptoms are similar to other diseases
- Diagnosis is based on clinical examination
- Confirmed by blood tests
Transmission
- Contact through infected pets blood, urine, or tissues
- Contact with contaminated water
- Enters the body through cuts
- Can also enter through mucous membranes and eyes
People At Risk
- Farm Workers
- Veterinarians
- Slaughterhouse workers
- Sewer and waste workers
- Swimmers
- Canoeists
- Fishes
- Over half of infections are contracted through recreational activities
Treatment
- Early antibiotic treatment
- Penicillin
- Doxycycline
- More severe cases may require intravenous antibiotics
- Dialysis and hydration therapy may also be used
Prevention
- No human vaccination
- High risk occupations may benefit from taking 200mg Doxycyline weekly
- Vaccinate pets
- Reduce rodent population
- Cover cuts, scratches, and sores
- Wear appropriate protective clothing, ie boots, waders, gloves
- Shower after water contact
- Avoid stagnant or slow moving water
- Wear thick gloves when handling rats
- Thoroughly wash hands after handling rats
Sources
N/A (13 July 18). Public Health England. Retrieved from http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Leptospirosis/GeneralInformation/lepto005GeneralInformation/
Barbara, M. (2014, Jan. 29). A Wee Rat Problem. Snopes. Retrieved from http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/raturine.asp
N/A. (2013, June 24). Leptospirosis. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/index.html