A bacterial disease that is transmitted from animals to humans. Rats and mice are the most important carriers in Hawai'i. Domestic animals can also transmit the desease. Leptospirosis bacteria can survive for long periods in fresh water and mud. They enter the body through the eyes, the nose, mouth and broken skin. People usually do not transmit Leptospirosis to each other.
How are people affected?
- Swimming or wading in freshwater ponds or streams contaminated with animal urine.
- Contact with moist soil or vegetation contaminated with animal urine.
- Direct contact with urine, tissues or blood of infected animals.
- Drinking contaminated fresh water.
Symptoms:
- may occur 2 to 20 days after being exposed
- are often mild and resemble the flu, fever, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, body pains, loss appetite, chills, headache red eyes, sweating weakness
Other more serious symtoms are stiff neck, jaundice, heart failure, delirium, kidney failure and liver swelling.
If you think you have symptoms of leptospirosis, see a doctor right away.
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