Leptospirosis (or Weil's Disease)
What is Leptospirosis ?
Also known as Weils Disease, Leptospirosis is a disease that can be passed from animals to humans – such diseases are called zoonoses.
It is more common in tropical areas of the world but is also found in temperate areas such as Europe, including the United Kingdom.
Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus
Leptospira, (referred to as leptospires) which infect a variety of wild and domestic animals.
The
animals can then spread the leptospires in their urine.
All
mammals can probably carry some type of leptospire, and may therefore spread the disease among others
of their own kind, and to other species, including man.
Common animal reservoirs (maintenance
hosts) include rodents, cattle and pigs.
Also known as
Weils disease, Canicola fever, Hemorrhagic jaundice, Mud Fever, Swineherd disease.
Incubation period
Usually 10 days (can range from 4 – 19 days)
Symptoms
Fever, Headache, Chills, severe muscular pain (calves and thighs), jaundice, rash.
Mode of transmission
Contact of the skin, especially mucous membranes, with water, moist soil or vegetation contaminated with urine of infected animals. Can occur in swimming, paddling or emersion in infected water. Direct contact with urine or infected animals, occasionally through consumption of contaminated food. Rats, pigs, cattle wild dogs and foxes are typical carriers of Leptospirosis.
FURTHER INFORMATION
This page gives general information.
If you require further details, please contact :
Kennet District Council Environmental Health Tel : 01380 724911
Wiltshire Health Protection Agency Tel : 01380 732599
Your GP