04/07/26 Public Health Education Topic: Leptospirosis
- Health Department
- 24 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Per CDC Español
Key points
Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria. It affects people and animals.
It's spread in the urine (pee) of infected animals.
Leptospirosis risk often increases after a hurricane or flood when people have contact with contaminated water or soil.
If you or your animals may have leptospirosis, see a healthcare provider.
Exposure risks
The bacteria that cause leptospirosis are spread through the urine (pee) of infected animals. The bacteria can survive in contaminated water or soil for weeks to months.
How people become infected
Contact with water or soil containing urine or body fluids from infected animals, especially after hurricanes, flooding, or heavy rainfall.
Directly touching body fluids from an infected animal.
Eating food or drinking water contaminated by the urine of an infected animal.
Activities that put you at risk
If you're involved in activities that put you in contact with water, soil or animals, you may be at increased risk for infection. These activities include:
Water recreation like swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or rafting in rivers, swamps, or creeks
Hiking or hunting
Gardening, yardwork, and outdoor cleaning and maintenance
Jobs like working in a veterinary clinic, dairy farming, butchering, or sanitation
It's rare for people to spread leptospirosis to other people. However, if you are experiencing homelessness or living in a shelter or other facility where you might have contact with rodents or animal urine, you may also have a higher risk of getting leptospirosis.
Signs and symptoms
In people, leptospirosis can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:
Fever
Body or muscle aches
Headache
Vomiting or nausea
Yellowed skin and eyes (jaundice)
Diarrhea
Chills
Stomach pain
Fatigue
Red eyes
Rash
Many of these symptoms can be mistaken for other diseases. Some people have no symptoms.
To learn more visit: About Leptospirosis | Leptospirosis | CDC
