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Cause:
Spiral shaped bacteria
(spirochetes) in the genus Leptospira.
Illness and treatment:
Symptoms include
fever, headache, and severe muscle aches. Jaundice, kidney
failure, or meningitis can develop. Treatment is with
antibiotics.
Sources:
The disease affects wild and domestic animals, including
pets. Urine and tissues are infective. Transmission occurs
by direct skin or mucous membrane contact with urine or
tissues from infected animals, or exposure to contaminated
water, food, or soil, or inhalation of aerosolized fluids
during recreation or farm work.
Prevention:
Avoid contact with urine
from infected animals and with water or soil potentially
contaminated with animal urine.
Recent Washington trends:
Each year there are 0 to 5 reports. Most infections relate
to recreational water exposure in Washington or during
travel.
2008:
One human case was reported
with no deaths. The case was likely exposed in Washington
while working with cattle.
Purpose of Reporting and
Surveillance
- To better understand the
epidemiology of leptospirosis in Washington State.
- To identify sources of infection (e.g., animals or
contaminated water) and educate people about how to reduce
their risk of infection.
Legal Reporting Requirements
- Health care providers: notifiable to local health
jurisdiction within 3 work days.
- Hospitals: notifiable to local health jurisdiction
within 3 work days.
- Laboratories: no requirements for reporting.
- Local health jurisdictions: notifiable to the Washington
State Department of Health (DOH) Communicable Disease
Epidemiology Section (CDES) within 7 days of case
investigation completion or summary information required
within 21 days.
- Veterinarians: notifiable
to Washington State Department of Agriculture or to the
local health jurisdiction.
Last
update
November 2009 |
