Leptospirosis

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects both humans and animals. It is found mainly in infected wild and domestic animals (e.g. rodents or dogs).

How is leptospirosis transmitted? 

Leptospirosis is transmitted through direct or indirect contact with: 

• Urine, fluids, or tissues from infected animals  

• Urine-contaminated environment (e.g. through swimming, wading in floodwaters, occupation exposure, or contact with contaminated moist soil or vegetation) 

• Eating food or drinking water contaminated by urine  

The bacteria enter the body through cuts, abrasion on skin, or through the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose, and eyes.

What are the symptoms of leptospirosis? 

Most cases either experience no symptoms or have mild flu-like symptoms. In some cases, leptospirosis can be severe or fatal.  

Common symptoms of leptospirosis include:  

• Sudden onset of high fever 

• Muscle pain  

• Headache or pain behind the eyes  

• Eye redness 

In severe cases, the infected person can experience: 

• Prolonged fever 

• Yellowing of skin and eyes (jaundice) 

• Bleeding in the lungs 

• Breathing difficulties 

• Kidney failure 

• Inflammation of brain lining (meningitis)

What are the risk factors? 

• Living in or travelling to areas where infection is endemic in animals 

• Working outdoors or with animals 

• Camping or participating in outdoor activities (e.g. swimming or rafting in contaminated waters)

How is leptospirosis treated? 

In mild cases, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics. Severe cases require hospitalisation for intravenous antibiotics such as doxycycline or penicillin and supportive care to manage potential complications.

How to prevent leptospirosis? 

• Avoid stagnant water and animal farm water runoff. 

• Implement rodent control measures. 

• Protect food and consumables from animal contamination (e.g. rodents). 

• Cover cuts or scratches with waterproof dressing. 

• Avoid getting into, bathing in, or swallowing floodwater, or any freshwater source that may be contaminated with animal urine. 

• Wear waterproof protective clothing and shoes near water or soil that may potentially be contaminated with animal urine. 

• Keep rodents away by putting food, water, and trash in closed containers.  

There is currently no approved vaccine against leptospirosis for humans in Singapore.