Bacterial Zoonoses
A bacterium is a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms which have cell walls but lack organelles and an organised nucleus. The diseases caused by bacteria are known as bacterial diseases.
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Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis that is present throughout the world and is spread via contaminated food, water, soil, urine of affected animals, etc. Rodents are the main carriers of this disease. Pet and stray dogs play an important role in its transmission in endemic areas. The mortality due to this disease is significant. This disease is caused by bacterial spirochetes Leptospira interrogans. It causes a wider range of symptoms in humans than in animals.
It is an important public health problem since the last two decades. It is a worldwide zoonosis. This disease has several different names like seven day fever, Cane cutter’s disease, Rice field disease, Weil’s disease, etc. This disease is prone to occur more in tropical, sub-tropical and temperate zone.
This disease spread more after heavy rainfalls and flooding especially where there is a high presence of wild animals and rodents. The brown rat is most important source of infection in animals and humans. This is a more common disease in areas with poor sanitation and housing systems.
This disease can enter via cuts and abrasions or mucus membranes. Exposure can occur through direct contact with an infected animal or dirty water and soil or through the urine of an infected animal. Animal shelter workers, scientists, hunters, farmers are at greater risk. Indirect contact with contaminated water or soil is also risky.
In humans-
- Fever
- Head ache
- Chills
- Body ache
- Vomting
- Jaundice
- Red eyes
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhoea
- Rashes
- Liver or/and kidney failure may occur in the second phase pf this disease
In animals-
- Weakness
- Depression
- Fever
- Sudden chills
- Body ache
- Reduced appetite
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Dark gums
- Jaundice
- Cough
Blood profile, LFT, KFT, Urine analysis, Fluorescent Antibody Urine Test, Microscopic Agglutination Test, ELISA, PCR, Dark Field microscopy are some methods available to diagnose this disease.
Isolate animals and humans affected with Leptospira and make sure they get complete rest. Handling these patients should be done very carefully and hygienically. Test your family for leptospirosis if any member of your family tests positive. Vaccination is available for dogs, so get your pet dogs vaccinated for this disease. Research the kennels before boarding animals. Maintain a strict hand washing regime. Avoid going out without gum boots in very heavy rains. Clean animals faeces with gloves and dispose them off carefully. Control the rodents in your area as they are the main reservoirs of this disease. Personal protective equipments should be used by people working in high-risk jobs.