Stock image of a dog at the vet (Pexels)
The Finnish authorities have detected at least six infections in dogs due to leptospirosis, an extremely rare bacterial disease that seems to be making its way locally in the Nordic country. Recently, veterinarian Hanne Jaffe informed the media of a new case of leptospirosis, which would be the seventh of the year, as reported by the newspaper Ilsta Sanomat. This increase in infections has worried the population, since it is a condition that can pass from animals to humans.
The disease is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira, which are transmitted mainly through the urine of infected animals, especially rats. These bacteria can survive in humid environments and, in addition to affecting dogs, can be transmitted to humans, becoming a zoonosis of global concern.
The prevalence of leptospirosis has increased in Europe and in 2018 nearly 2,000 cases were recorded on the continent. In Spain, infections also seem to increase year after year. A recent study published in the journal Preventive Veterinary Medicine has detected this bacteria mainly in zoos and wildlife rescue centers in the national territory. Researchers from the University of Córdoba, the Carlos III Health Institute, the University of Murcia and the Central Veterinary Laboratory, among others, detected antibodies for Leptospira spp. in 28.3% of the animals evaluated.
Among domestic animals, a study carried out in 2019 by the Autonomous University of Barcelona and IDEXX laboratories revealed that approximately 25.8% of dogs have been exposed to Leptospira infection.
Leptospirosis infection is transmitted especially through rats and survives in humid environments. Animals can transmit it to humans mainly through urine. Among pets, the main symptoms are fever, indigestion, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, yellowing of the mucous membranes or skin, and profuse drinking and urination. There is a canine vaccine that protects against clinical disease, but not against contagion.
Among humans, the infection can present with a wide variety of clinical manifestations, from a mild, flu-like form to a severe and sometimes fatal illness with liver and kidney failure. Symptoms can take 2 to 30 days to appear, with an average of 10 days.
Maria Sancho, a 44-year-old veterinarian, prepares medicines to treat dogs infected with leptospirosis in Paiporta as a result of DANA. (REUTERS/Eva Manez)
Despite its prevalence in animals and pets, cases hardly seem to be detected in people. In Spain, it is a disease associated with workers who have contact with reservoir species or are exposed to potentially contaminated environments, such as farmers in rice fields, construction or sewage workers, or livestock workers.
Between 2019 and 2022, the Carlos III Health Institute has registered a total of 169 cases, an incidence rate of around 0.16%. The infections have occurred mainly in men and, in 24% of the cases, they had a risk occupation: they were environmental employees or people who had contact with animals in their workplace.
After two negative cases last Friday, this Wednesday the Valencian Community confirmed two infections of leptoporisis due to DANA. The people who have been diagnosed today are admitted to hospital centers. Likewise, cases have been detected in animals, as reported by Reuters.
