Leptospirosis – watch out for still waters …

[9 March 2010 - 15h33]

It’s difficult to stop a dog drinking or swimming in a pond, canal or river. However, the problem is that stagnant water can sometimes be infected with Leptospira, the bacterium responsible for leptospirosis.

Rodents – rats and coypu in particular – are healthy carriers of this bacterium. They release it in their urine, thus contaminating the environment, both soil and water. The infection then passes into other animals via either the mouth or skin. It mainly affects dogs, but can also be contracted by cattle, horses and pigs.

In humans, infection can be transmitted by skin contact or by ingestion of contaminated water. Leptospirosis is therefore a known occupational disease, occurring among sewer workers and refuse collectors. Vaccination is systematically recommended for such workers. The disease can also be contracted by simply bathing in infected water. Incubation takes between 4 and 14 days. Clinical forms of the disease range from flu-like symptoms (fever, shivering, headache, aching, etc) to renal, hepatic, meningeal and pulmonary problems. The most serious forms combine renal insufficiency and haemorrhaging. Convalescence takes a long time but is generally free from after effects. The vaccine offered to workers at risk of leptospirosis is a monovalent type. Another, bivalent vaccine is available for dogs. Recall is annual for humans, but can be six-monthly for at-risk animals.

>> Cet article est aussi disponible en français

>> Cet article est aussi disponible en arabe

© 1996-2012 Destination Santé SAS - All Rights Reserved. No information contained on this server can be reproduced or retransmitted without prior written consent of Destination Santé. Offenders will be prosecuted in consideration of articles L 122-4 and L 335-3 of the Code of Intellectual Property, allowing up to two years' imprisonment and a 150,000 euros fine.