Leptospirosis

You can get leptospirosis from direct contact with the wee (urine) or some other body fluids of infected animals, or from contact with contaminated soil or water.

The bacteria enter your body through cuts in your skin or through the lining of your nose, mouth and eyes.

Leptospira bacteria live in the kidneys of some animals and the bacteria are in their urine (wee). Animals that can become infected include:

• cattle
• pigs
• horses
• dogs
• rodents
• wild animals.

You are more at risk of being infected if you live or work on rural properties, farms, or in meat processing where you:

• have close contact with animaIs
• are exposed to water, mut or other materials that can be contaminated with animal wee (urine).

Symptoms of leptospirosis start 5 to 14 days after being exposed.

The symptoms are:

• fever
• chills
• headache
• sore muscles
• nausea
• diarrhoea (runny poo)
• stomach pain
• red eyes
• cough
• jaundice (yellowish skin and eyes)
• vomiting
• rash.

If you have symptoms, see your healthcare provider straight away. Tell them if you have been near still or flood water, farm animals, or soil that could have been contaminated by animal urine.

Getting treatment early is important to keep the illness from becoming more serious.

Leptospirosis is diagnosed by blood tests. 

The role of public health

Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease. This means that healthcare providers or laboratories will inform public health when someone has it. 

If you have leptospirosis, public health teams may contact you to find out how you were infected, and to provide advice on preventing the disease spreading to others.

Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics. Getting early treatment with antibiotics can help you get better faster.

If your illness is serious you may need to be admitted to hospital to get antibiotics through your vein.

You can protect yourself from leptospirosis by:

• cleaning and covering any cuts on your skin
• staying out of still water, flood water, ponds, lakes or rivers that could be contaminated with animal wee
• washing your hands after you touch farm animals
• getting animals vaccinated — there is no vaccine for people
• wearing appropriate protective clothing or footwear during activities that may result in contact with contaminated soil or water. For example, cleaning up soil or buildings after floods, or where wild animals might have been.

Worksafe has advice on how to protect yourself if you work in a high-risk job, such as in meat processing, on a farm, or transporting stock.

Prevention and control of leptospirosis — Worksafe (external link)