Communicable Disease
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Current Issues -- Leptospirosis
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Increase in Reported Human and Canine Leptospirosis in Washington (updated 6/15/06)Human LeptospirosisBetween January 1 and December 31, 2005, the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) received reports of four human cases of leptospirosis, three of which were acquired in Washington state. The endemically acquired cases were reported from Pierce, Clark and Skagit counties (map); all were male, ages ranged from 14 years to 57. While none of the cases had a common exposure, they all apparently acquired the disease from direct contact with natural water sources. This represents an increase in endemically acquired leptospirosis infections. Of nine cases of leptospirosis reported in the previous nine year period (1996-2004), only four were reportedly exposed in Washington state. Canine LeptospirosisVeterinarians have reported 109 leptospirosis infections in pet dogs between October 1, 2004 and June 15, 2006. The dogs resided in Pierce, King, Mason, Thurston, Kitsap, Snohomish, Whatcom, Grays Harbor, Spokane and Columbia counties (map). Two of the affected dogs belonged to one family and two were exposed together while hunting; otherwise, none of them had a common source of exposure identified. Many of the affected dogs’ owners reported potential exposures including contact with dead animals (opossum, rodents) and swimming or playing in ponds, streams or swampy areas. Twenty-seven of the infected dogs were euthanized or died from the illness. No human illness has been linked to the reported animal infections in Washington this year. Occupational transmission to veterinarians, animal workers and farmers, however, is well documented. In addition to direct contact with infectious urine, people often contract leptospirosis from recreational exposures, i.e. swimming, bathing or wading in contaminated water or through ingesting contaminated food or water. The bacteria can enter through breaks in skin or through mucous membranes. Illness usually begins abruptly with fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea, and after the first phase, the patient may recover for a time but relapse with more severe symptoms including kidney or liver failure or meningitis. People who suspect they have been exposed to leptospirosis should report early signs of any febrile illness to a physician. Prevention and Control for Veterinarians and Pet OwnersVeterinarians and their staff should practice good hygiene (gloves, hand washing) and environmental disinfection to limit the potential for exposure within the clinic setting. Pet owners should be advised to avoid feeding or approaching wildlife, store pet food where wildlife cannot get to it, and to remove uneaten pet food promptly so it doesn’t attract wildlife. These measures will discourage wildlife from visiting residential areas, and reduce the risk of disease transmission to pets and people. Practical infection control measures also include not allowing toddlers to play in areas where infected dogs have recently urinated, wearing rubber gloves to clean indoor urine accidents, disinfecting surfaces such as floors that have been urinated on, and routine handwashing. Contact InformationHealth care providers and veterinarians should consider leptospirosis in their differential diagnoses, and report new cases either to the local health department or to the State Veterinarian's office (360-902-1878, phone; 360-902-2087, fax). |
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