As the number of leptospirosis cases reported this year is slightly higher than that reported in the previous years, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) urges people at increased risk for infection, including farmers, people who enjoy water sports, fisherman, and people who work with fish and animals, to protect themselves against infection by wearing protective clothing such as gloves or footwear such as boots near soil or water that may be contaminated. 

According to Taiwan CDC’s statistics, thus far this year, a cumulative total of 92 leptospirosis cases have been confirmed, which is higher than that reported in the past two years (91 cases were reported in 2012 and 82 cases were reported in 2013). Most cases had their illness onset during June and October, 2014. Among the 92 cases, 27 cases have visited or worked in the farm, 18 have participated in freshwater or outdoor activities, and 12 cases are workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishery and animal husbandry industry.  

Leptospirosis is a common infectious disease in the tropical and subtropical areas that affects humans and animals. In Taiwan, it is a Category VI Notifiable Infectious Disease. The leptospira bacteria can be found in contaminated water or soil and it is often transmitted by infected animal urine or by water or soil containing infected animal urine coming into contact with breaks in the skin, eyes, mouth, or nose. A few cases become infected by coming into contact directly with infected animals or infected tissues. Symptoms vary from case to case. Some may experience no symptoms. Some may experience cold-like symptoms such as fever, headache, abdominal pain, chills, red eye and muscular pain. Some may experience meningitis. Severe cases may experience renal failure, jaundice and hemorrhages. Leptospirosis can lead to death if left untreated.  

Taiwan CDC reminds workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishery and animal husbandry industry and people who enjoy outdoor activities and water to protect themselves against infection by wearing gloves and boots near soil or water that may be contaminated. Residential areas should be deratted regularly. Pet owners should ensure their pets are properly vaccinated in a timely manner to ward off infection. For more information on enterovirus, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922, or 0800-001922.