Leptospirosis

• Reservoir: 

  • • Stillwater 

    • Soil

    • Wildlife

    • Rodents

    • Mammals

    • Urine

• Portal of Exit: 

  • • Urine from infected animal

• Mode of Transmission: 

  • • Direct:

      • Example: Blood from an infected animal enters dog wound.

      • Contact with open wounds/ cyts/ scratches

    • Indirect

      • Example: A dog drinks water that has been infected 

      • Example: A dog eats soil that was previously infected by an animals with Leptospirosis.

• Portal of Entry: 

  • • ingestion of infected water or soil

    • cutaneous open wounds/ damaged skin

    • contact with infects urine

    • contact with bacteria in a cut or abrasion

    • mucous membranes

• Susceptible Host: 

  • • mammals; such as dogs, rodents, people 

    • Cattle

    • wildlife

    • marine life

• Prevention:

  • • Vaccination

    • Wear PPE and gloves when handling infected animals

    • Ensure pets do not ingest contaminated soil or water

    • Protect cuts and scratches

    • Isolate infected animals

    • Separate relief areas for healthy and infected animals

Picture: Courtesy of the Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph. 1