Steps to Avoid Leptospirosis

1. Do not swim, wade or play in freshwater when you have cuts or abrasions. When swimming, do not place your head underwater.
2. Wear Protective Clothing such as: gloves, boots. long sleeves, heavy pants when you are working with moist soil or water, gardening, clearing vegetation, hunting, and butchering animals and caring pets.
3. Don't drink stream water without boiling or chemically treating it. Keep water catchment collection areas free from overhanging branches and prevent access to these areas by animals. Drain potentially contaminated areas of standing water.
4. Rodent Control. Control rats, mice and mongooses around home and at work sites. Trapping, removing nests, poisoning and protection of foods and garbage are helpful control methods. Call the Vector control branch or the district Health office on the Neighbor Islands for Advice
5. Vaccinate pets and farm animals. See your veterinarian about shots that will protect your animal from infection.