Infectious disease alert issued after 17 diagnoses

THE HSE has issued an alert to farmers, people working outdoors and users of lakes, rivers and canals to take precautions against the spread of an infectious disease leptospirosis, which is spread by contact with rat, cow or dog urine.

Seventeen people have been diagnosed so far this year with the condition, which can lead to the potentially fatal Weil’s disease in severe cases.

However, despite the alert, there has been “no recent increase” in incidence of the disease, according to the HSE.

Leptospirosis is an infection often found in domestic and wild animals and is a zoonotic disease, capable of being spread from animals to humans.

“It rarely, if ever, passes from person to person,” said public health medicine specialist Dr Ann Marie O’Byrne yesterday.

“The majority of people have a flu-like illness with fever, chills, a persistent and severe headache, conjunctivitis and muscle pains, especially in the legs. The symptoms typically develop seven to 14 days after infection, but may take up to a month.”

The disease can be treated with antibiotics but, since most people have a mild illness and recover within a few weeks without treatment, it often goes undiagnosed.

A few people can develop meningitis with neck stiffness and vomiting.

“A small number of people can have a more serious illness, Weil’s disease, with jaundice and kidney failure,” added Dr O’Byrne who is a member of the South-East Zoonoses Committee. “Weil’s disease can be fatal in a small proportion of cases. It is treated with antibiotics.”

According to the HSE, the number of cases of leptospirosis reported nationally is small from year to year, with 17 cases identified so far in 2007.

Department of Agriculture superintending veterinary inspector Pat Kelleher said that the infection is spread through contact with rat, cattle or dog urine. “This is usually through contact with feed, hay, straw, water or other substances that have been contaminated. Infected urine or contaminated water can be found in sewers, ditches, ponds, canals and slow-flowing rivers and riverbanks. Rat urine may also contaminate animal feedstuffs on farms.”

The germs that cause leptospirosis can get into the body, via contaminated urine, through cuts and scratches or through the lining of the mouth, throat and eyes.

Those at particular risk include farmers, workers in contact with canal or river water, vets, meat inspectors, butchers, abattoir and sewer workers, those who fish, swim and use the water for other recreational purposes.

Dog owners and those who work with dogs may be at risk if hygiene is inadequate.

Precautions which can be taken include washing hands thoroughly before eating and particularly after handling animal feed, animals and pets; covering cuts and scratches with waterproof dressings before possible exposure; wearing protective clothing; not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine; showering promptly after immersion in rivers, lakes or canals; vaccinating infected cattle herds.

“If you get a flu-like illness within a three week period after engaging in any of these activities you should visit your family doctor immediately, and tell her or him of your fears and possible exposure to the disease,” said Dr O’Byrne.