The Leptospira bacteria can be found in fresh water that has been contaminated by animal urine. The infection occurs in warmer climates.
It is not spread from person to person, except in vary rare cases when it is spread through breast milk or from a mother to her unborn child.
Risk factors include:
- Occupational exposure -- farmers, ranchers, slaughterhouse workers, trappers, veterinarians, loggers, sewer workers, rice field workers, and military personnel
- Recreational activities -- fresh water swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and trail biking in warm areas
- Household exposure -- pet dogs, domesticated livestock, rainwater catchment systems, and infected rodents
Leptospirosis is rare in the continental United States. Hawaii has the highest number of cases in the United States.
Transmission:
Leptospirosis is transmitted by the urine of an infected animal and is contagious as long as it is still moist. Although rats, mice, and moles are important primary hosts, a wide range of other mammals including dogs, deer, rabbits, hedgehogs, cows, sheep, raccoons, opossums, skunks, and certain marine mammals are able to carry and transmit the disease as secondary hosts. Dogs may lick the urine of an infected animal off the grass or soil or drink from an infected puddle.
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