It is an infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria called a Leptospira interrogans or commonly known as leptospires or spirochetes.

It is a rare and severe infection occurs when people are exposed to certain environments.

The disease was first described by Adolf Well in 1886 when re reported an acute infectious disease with enlargement of spleen, jaundice and nephritis.
It is among the worlds most common diseases transmitted to people from animals.

It can be transmitted by many animals:

Primary hosts: rats Secondary: dogs, rabbits, cows, raccoons.

It is transmitted through contact with infected soil or water. The soil is contaminated with the waste products of an infected animal.

People contract the disease by either ingesting contaminated food or water or by broken skin and mucous membrane (eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth) contact with the contaminated water or soil. It is not transmitted from person to person.

Occupational Exposure Farmers Slaughterhouse workers Veterinarians Loggers Rice field workers Military personnel Waste disposal facility worker

Recreational activities Swimming Hiking Camping

Household exposure Pet dogs Domesticated livestock Infected rodents Rainwater catchment systems

Leptospirosis symptoms begin from 2-25 days after the initial exposure to the urine or tissue of an infected animal.
First phase
Non specific flu-like symptoms: headache, muscle pain, eye pain, chills and fever. Nausea, diarrhea vomiting and

Watering and redness of the eyes (by 5th-9th day).

The first phase resolves and the patient is briefly asymptomatic until the second phase begins.
Second phase
Recur with fever and aching with stiffness of the neck.

Some patients develop serious inflammation of the nerves to the eyes, brain, spinal column (meningitis) or other nerves.
Right upper abdominal pain.

Abnormal lung sounds Bone pain Enlarged lymph nodes Muscle rigidity Muscle tenderness Skin rash
Less common symptoms relate to disease of the liver, lungs, kidneys and heart.

Weils syndromeLeptospirosis associated with liver and kidney disease. Characterized by yellowing of the eyes (jaundice).

The diagnosis is made by the culture of the bacterial organism Leptospira from infected blood, spinal fluid or urine.
Many doctors rely upon rising Leptospira antibody levels in the blood. CBC, Creatine kinase, Liver enzymes, Urinalysis

The treatment involves high doses of antibiotics.

It is most effective when initiated early in the course of the illness. Doxycycline, Vibramycin, Oracea, Atridox, Ampicillin, Ceftriaxone, Penicillin

Severely ill patients may need hospitalization for IV fluid and antibiotic treatment.
Severe liver and kidney manifestations of the infection may require intensive medical care and sometimes dialysis treatment.

Mortality rates for severe illness with leptospirosis can range from 5%-40%, depending on the severity of organ dysfunction and the patients general health prior to infection.
Health patients have a good prognosis and will make a full recovery.

A vaccine is available and used in some countries in Europe and Asia.

It must be given every year like a flu shot.

Travelers or those with activities or situations that increase likelihood of exposure can take 200mg of Doxycycline per week by mouth starting before and during the time period of potential exposure.

Avoid stagnant water.

Take a bath or wash the affected area with soap and clean water or 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol.

Your pets can leptospirosis.

contract

Your pet can contract it in the same ways you can (ingesting contaminated soil, water or through skin wounds). Your pet may exhibit vomiting, refusal to eat, weight loss, decreased activity, muscle pains or stiffness.

If you suspect your pet is ill, take them to a veterinarian for testing and treatment.
Early antibiotic treatment often can limit or prevent organ damage.

If your pet is diagnosed with leptospirosis, you must be careful to try to prevent exposure to yourself or other household members.
Wash hands frequently with soap and water after cleaning up waste from your pet. If possible, use gloves.

Use diluted (1:10) bleach solution to clean surfaces where pet wastes may have contaminated.
Make sure your pet receives the full course of antibiotic treatment that is prescribed by your vet.

The DOH recorded 2,213 leptospirosis cases with 106 deaths from Jan. 1 to July 28 nationwide.

The figure is 87.23 percent higher from the 1,182 cases registered during the same period last year.