Virginia Tech® home

Leptospirosis

Cause:

Leptospira is a bacterial organism. There are five types which are infectious.  Outbreaks of leptospirosis are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

Occurrence in Animals:

Although rats, mice and voles are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, raccoons, possums, skunks, and even certain marine mammals.

Source of Infection in Animals:

Predominantly urine, also milk, blood, and reproductive fluids.

Transmission:

Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water or through skin contact, especia lly with mucosal surfaces, such as the eyes or nose, or with broken skin. People can contract the disease through contact with infected blood or body fluids during necropsy or tissue collection.

Observable Signs of Infection:

Animals

  • Often asymptomatic (no outward signs of illness)
  • May cause kidney problems, abortion and infertility

Humans:

  • High fever, headache, meningitis
  • Flu - like symptoms (fever, chills, muscle ache, vomiting, red eyes)
  • Vomiting and abdominal pain
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
  • Liver and kidney failure

Precautions:

  • Good personal hygiene:
    • WASH HANDS after handling animals, particularly those giving birth
    • No eating, drinking, smoking, etc, around animals and their environments.
  • Leptospira can persist for a few days in the environment, particularly if cool and wet (e.g. soil, mud contaminated with urine from infected animals).
  • Handle potentially infected animals (e.g. aborting ruminants) with gloves.
  • Wear gloves, safety goggles, and face mask when cleaning potentially contaminated areas.
  • If employees/students develop a fever or respiratory illness after exposure to potentially infected animals, they should immediately seek medical attention.

Reference:

  • http://www.research.cornell.edu/care/zoonoses.html

Additional Information: