{"id":1119,"date":"2019-07-08T10:42:49","date_gmt":"2019-07-08T10:42:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thelifestylevet.co.nz\/?p=1119"},"modified":"2019-07-08T10:42:49","modified_gmt":"2019-07-08T10:42:49","slug":"leptospirosis-are-you-your-family-and-your-pigs-protected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelifestylevet.co.nz\/index.php\/2019\/07\/leptospirosis-are-you-your-family-and-your-pigs-protected\/","title":{"rendered":"Leptospirosis- Are you, your family and your pigs protected?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you and your animals Protected from Leptospirosis???<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in the world? <\/span><\/p>\n

Did you know that pigs are considered common reservoirs of the bacteria that causes leptospirosis? The leptospirosis New Zealand website has provided us with some incredibly informative information, and we have decided to share this wonderful information with you below.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is Leptospirosis?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria called Leptospira. There are over 300 different kinds of Leptospira worldwide but only 5 of these has been found to be circulating in New Zealand. These are called serovars. The 5 serovars circulating in New Zealand are called Hardjo, Pomona, Copenhageni, Ballum and Tarassovi. The bacteria can infect any mammal and can live in their kidneys. It is secreted in the urine of infected mammals and can survive in the environment (soil and water) for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n

How are humans infected ?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Humans usually become infected via direct or indirect contact with infected urine. The bacteria invade either through the body\u2019s mucus membranes or through cuts and abrasions. For example, any surface water contaminated by infected urine that happens to splash into your eyes or mouth or contacts an open wound can result in infection. If you are assisting with a lambing or calving and are in direct contact with infected urine then you are also at risk. <\/span><\/p>\n

What are the symptoms of leptospirosis in people?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

In people it can cause a minor flu-like sickness, but may also make some people seriously ill, needing intensive care at hospital. They may be off work for several months, have lasting kidney or liver damage, and may suffer long term fatigue and depression. Traditionally the disease has mostly been occupationally-acquired with strong links to the meat processing, farming and forestry industries. Overseas, leptospirosis has also been linked with outdoor recreational pursuits. Leptospirosis is a dynamic disease and the preferred reservoir host, the geographical range of the disease and, the relative importance of different strains can change over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the past 15 years of leptospirosis research, we have found that:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n