How to Prevent Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis, an infection caused by any bacteria of the Leptospira genus, is a zoonosis that can be found worldwide and is primarily an occupational disease of animal handlers. Leptospirosis is contracted directly from animals and is not spread from person to person. It usually resolves without treatment but 10 percent of the cases have severe symptoms. The following steps will show how to prevent leptospirosis.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Practice good general sanitation to control the rat population. Remove brush and trash from areas of human habitation and don't leave food out, especially in parks. Avoid water that may be contaminated with animal urine as this is the primary means of transmitting Leptospira to humans.

2. Wear protective clothing, gloves and footwear if you have an occupational or recreational risk for exposure to contaminated soil or water. Cover wounds with waterproof dressings.

3. Identify the animal species that is the infection source. This can be difficult because Leptospira can be hosted by many animals. Infected livestock should be separated from humans with fences.

4. Provide 200 mg doxycycline every week as a prophylaxis. This treatment is 95 percent effective in high-risk adults although it has not yet been studied adequately in children.

5. Vaccinate livestock and pets, especially dogs to prevent active leptospirosis infections from spreading. The bacteria itself may still be transmitted and human vaccines are of limited effectiveness since Leptospira has so many different serotypes.

Who Can Help:

• Overweight? Lose 30+ lbs without pills or diets- guaranteed
• Arthroscopic Alternative to Spine Surgery- For Back & Neck - Free MRI Review by our Doctors. Get your life back!
• Do you suffer from back pain? Learn more about our Medicare approved back support system. Medicare covers 85% of the cost.

Resources

• Learn more about preventing leptospirosis.