Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic organisms belonging to the genus Leptospira, that are transmitted directly or indirectly from animals to humans. Leptospirosis is a major direct zoonosis.Humanto-human transmission occurs only very rarely.

• Leptospires are bacteria which can be either pathogenic (i.e. having the potential to cause disease in animals and humans) or saprophytic (i.e. free living and generally considered not to cause disease). Pathogenic leptospires are maintained in nature in the renal tubules and genital tracts of certain animals.
• Leptospirosis occurs worldwide but is most common in tropical and subtropical areas with high rainfall. The disease is found mainly wherever humans come into contact with the urine of infected animals or a urinepolluted environment.