INDICATIONS OF LEPTO IN YOUR HERD
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease, which affects most mammals. It’s a common infection that is hosted and multiplied in the kidneys of an animal and can be transmitted to humans
Leptospirosis can cause severe illness and death in calves, infertility and abortion in adult cattle. Infected calves and cattle can shed leptospirosis for years, creating a significant human health risk to anyone in direct contact with them especially farmers, contractors, veterinarians and meat workers. Lepto is contracted by exposure to urine/effluent through cuts and mucous membranes.
This is a disease that is easily spread from animal to humans and is the world’s most widespread zoonosis.
HUMAN LEPTOSPIROSIS CASES IN NZ
Leptospirosis notifications and laboratory-reported cases by year, 1997 - 2013
Source: ESR 2013 Annual Surveillance Report.
There are two main types of this disease in New Zealand cattle
- L. hardjobovis
- L. pomona
A vaccination programmes are the best way to prevent lepto creating a health risk to humans and production effects in cattle. It is important to ensure vaccinations are completed before infection occurs.
