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Leptospirosis as a zoonosis

By Pet Labs

Leptospirosis awareness

A timely topic as there's a Leptospirosis outbreak in the Northern province of Sri Lanka. I see a gap in the level of awareness on prevention and transmission regarding this topic although there are plenty of sources to explain the symptoms of the disease. It's vital to raise awareness on prevention of spread of the disease among the non-infected at a same level as of the attempts to cure the already infected individuas!

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease - a disease that is transmitted to humans via animals

Leptospirosis, also known as "මී උණ" in Sinhala is a highly contagious disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira

The carrier of the disease is rodents such as rats, mice and even squirrels

The carriers can transmit Leptospira bacteria to most of the mammals such as humans, dogs, cats, cattle, horses, wild animals and marine mammals

How does the bacteria enter into an individual?

There are several ways by which the bacteria can enter the body but as a whole, direct or indirect contact of Leptospira bacteria contaminated body fluids can transmit the infection

Rodents may carry the bacteria in their urine. When such carrier hosts urinate in water, soil or vegetation, the bacteria can remain in the substance for several months to years

The disease can be transmitted to humans and other mammals via contaminated body fluids such as urine, blood, mucous or even saliva of other infected animals

Consumption of water or food that has been contaminated by the Leptospira bacteria, inhalation of the bacteria contaminated body fluids, direct contact of broken skin such as wounds or mucous membranes with bacteria contaminated surfaces are the most common ways by which transmission occurs

Prognosis is guarded in affected cases

Prevention:
It is key to minimize the spread of Leptospirosis both as an infection as well as, as a zoonotic disease

1. Wear protective clothing when:
- handling live sick animals with an unknown hostory of vaccination or if the animal has not been properly vaccinated
- handling carcasses
- farming
- faced with floods

Protective clothing: eye goggles, face masks, hand gloves, boots, water proof dressings to cover open wounds

2. Be extra cautious when sourcing food from unreliable/unknown sources

3. Have your dog vaccinated with the Leptospira vaccine. This comes as either an individual vaccine or in combination with certain other vaccines, such as in the DHL or the DHPL. Make sure to check with a veterinarian to make sure that your pet and you are safe

High risk groups:
1. Veterinarians, animal handlers
2. Farmers
3. Those affected by recent floods

Symptoms
Vary from species to species and from individual to individual. It's important to communicate with a qualified physician and/or qualified veterinarian on the symptoms, diagnostics, diagnosis and treatment although there are plenty of online tools for this purpose

Image source: https://x.com/NewsfirstSL/status/1868566427009224961

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