Leptospirosis

National Project

In November 2023, Rural Women NZ announced that Leptospirosis would be our National Project until June 2025.

We have a proud history over the past 50 years in raising awareness and much needed funds (at least a quarter of a million dollars and counting) to help with the goal of better controlling the disease.

This has included funding research by Massey University’s School of Veterinary Science that supported the development of vaccines which are now widely used in the dairy and pig farming sectors, as well as campaigns to inform and educate rural communities about the disease.

As a result of our previous efforts, the number of reported cases dropped dramatically. However, last year’s North Island extreme weather events has sadly seen a rise in reported cases in flood-affected regions, as it can be spread by contaminated water.

That’s why we have again made Leptospirosis our National Project with an aim of raising awareness and much needed funds to further research into the disease.

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection of humans and animals. Farmers, their families, meat workers, vets, stock agents and rural transport truck drivers are among those most exposed to the bacteria in New Zealand, which is shed in the urine of infected animals, such as deer, pigs, cattle, sheep and dogs, as well as wild mammals (rats, mice, possums, hedgehogs) and passed on to humans through cuts in the skin or through the membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth. Overseas, flooding and poverty are the most common exposures.

In infected humans, leptospirosis presents as a serious flu-like illness, which if not treated promptly can lead to long-term health effects and in rare cases – death.

Massey University reports that lepto leads to hospital admissions in 70% of cases, with half of patients experiencing longer term illness.

Symptoms can feel like a bad case of the flu and can include:

  • fatigue

  • fever

  • chills

  • headache

  • muscle aches and pains

  • nausea

  • diarrhoea

  • abdominal pain

  • sensitivity to light

  • cough.

Symptoms of severe illness can include kidney and liver damage. Some people may be unable to return to work for months and in severe cases, unable to return at all due to symptoms of chronic fatigue. The disease can keep coming back. There is also overseas research indicating the disease may cause miscarriages in pregnant women and a cautious approach is recommended.

Livestock tend to be infected with lepto strains that are well adapted to them, so stock appear unaffected yet still shed the bug in their urine. When impacted by poor nutrition, floods or other stressors, stock may show reduced production and reproduction. However, when infected with a different strain and if that is combined with severe stress then severe outbreaks of the disease can occur with death in young stock and abortion storms.

  • Leptospirosis is contracted most commonly through exposure to the urine of infected animals, either through direct contact or via contaminated water. The bacteria enter through cuts or grazes on our skin, or through the mucous membranes of our eyes, nose and mouth.

  • New Zealand has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in countries with temperate climates in the world. Last year there were 170 cases notified, nearly all in people living rurally. This is the tip of the iceberg as there are many cases missed because lepto looks like Covid or the flu and there are issues with getting a diagnosis.

    Current data from Massey University shows that 70% of people suspected of having leptospirosis are not tested for it.

    The annual number of notified leptospirosis cases fell dramatically between 1980 and 2000 but has fluctuated since. Unfortunately, it is on the rise again in flood-affected regions as the disease can be spread through contact with animals or with soil and water contaminated by animals.

    • Vaccination (talk to your vet about the right option for your stock including dairy, sheep, beef, deer, pigs and dogs)

    • Hygiene – avoid contact with urine and wash your hands especially after handling livestock.

    • Wear PPE when working in wet conditions/close to animals (e.g., sturdy closed toe waterproof footwear, overalls, face protection, rubber gloves and cover grazes with waterproof bandages).

    • Staff and visitor training – clearly display information at your premises and tell all visitors about the risks of lepto and how to minimise them

    • Manage effluent and control waterways

    • Control rodents

    • Seek help early if you are feeling unwell. Tell your doctor lepto may be the cause and ask to be tested.

    • Use your local events, social media pages, conferences and forums to raise awareness and educate rural communities about the disease, including its symptoms.

    • Print and distribute posters and factsheets around your local community about the disease and how to protect yourself and stock.

    • Talk to your friends and family who have contact with farms or are meat workers, hunters or trappers about leptospirosis.

Resources available to download

RWNZ Poster

Download the Rural Women NZ poster about how you can protect yourself and your animals against leptospirosis by clicking this link.

You can download this printer friendly version here.

Worksafe Resources

WorkSafe has a range of leptospirosis resources available by clicking this link.

Massey University Resources

Massey University has a range of resources available including: