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Leptospira
What is it?
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by infection with the bacteria Leptospira, that can be found in contaminated water or soil and affects both animals and humans1,2. Leptospirosis can occur worldwide, but is most common in tropical and sub-tropical climates with high rainfall, humidity, and an increased risk after flooding or cyclones1,2.
Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease in both Australia and New Zealand.
Symptoms
Symptoms can be wide ranging and include flu like symptoms (fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, sore throat), red eyes, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain1. Between 5-15% of people who are infected develop severe symptoms causing an illness known as Weil’s disease that may require hospitalisation, symptoms include jaundice, kidney failure, liver failure, heart disease and meningitis1,3.
Symptoms usually start around 5-14 days after infection and can last from a few days to three weeks1,3.
How is it transmitted?
Leptospira bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, that can survive in contaminated water or soil from weeks to months2. Both wild and domestic animals can carry the bacteria and may have no symptoms, including, livestock, dogs, cats, possums and rodents1,2.
People become infected with Leptospira bacteria through direct contact with the body fluids of infected animals, through eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and through contact with water or soil that contains the urine or body fluids from infected animals2. The risk of transmission is increased after heavy rainfall, flooding or cyclones when the contaminated animal urine in the soil gets into flood or rainwater, and contaminates natural water sources, causing outbreaks1,2. Human to human transmission is very rare3.
At risk groups?
People are at risk of leptospirosis if they have close contact with animals or are exposed to water, mud/soil or vegetation that has been contaminated with animal urine or body fluids3.
Occupations that put people at a high risk includes farmers, veterinarians and abattoir workers, and people undertaking activities of higher risk including swimming and water sports, camping and gardening1,3.
Prevention?
General prevention measures include avoiding contact with water that may be contaminated, wearing appropriate footwear when near muddy or wet areas, covering wounds when potential contact with contaminated water or soil is likely, using gloves when gardening, controlling pests and rodents, and hand washing before and after eating1.
Vaccinating animals is an important step in leptospirosis prevention, however there is no human vaccine3.
References
Better Health Channel. Leptospirosis. The Victorian Government. Updated 12 5 2023. Accessed 11 March, 2025. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/leptospirosis
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Leptospirosis. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/about/index.html
Health direct. Leptospirosis. Healthdirect Australia Limited, . Updated April 2024. Accessed 11 March, 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/leptospirosis