What is leptospirosis?

Christine Griebsch

writer

Christine Griebsch

Specialist and Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Jacqueline Norris

writer

Jacqueline Norris

Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Recently reported cases of the often fatal bacterial infection leptospirosis in dogs in Sydney have raised the issue of animal diseases that also affect humans.

This zoonotic disease is spread by rats and other rodents. However, this latest cluster in dogs has not been accompanied by human cases in the Sydney area so far; dog cases aren’t always accompanied by human cases nearby.

So what is leptospirosis? And what can we do to protect ourselves and our pets from this potentially fatal disease?

There have been at least six confirmed cases of canine leptospirosis so far in Sydney’s inner west and city in 2019, with three in May and June. Five of the six dogs died.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Icon 2

NEXT LIVE Webcast

:
Days
:
Hours
:
Minutes
Seconds
Prof Peter Richmond

Prof Peter Richmond

Invasive Pneumococcal Disease – What GPs Need to Know

Dr Sushil Pant

Dr Sushil Pant

Acutely Painful Shoulder – Assessment and Management in GP

Dr Richard Phoon

Dr Richard Phoon

Chronic Kidney Disease – Delay Progression and Prevent Dialysis

Prof Rodney Baber AM

Prof Rodney Baber AM

Understand & Explain the Risks & Side Effects of MHT

Join us for the next free webcast for GPs and healthcare professionals

High quality lectures delivered by leading independent experts

Share this

Share this

Christine Griebsch

writer

Christine Griebsch

Specialist and Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine, University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Jacqueline Norris

writer

Jacqueline Norris

Professor of Veterinary Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney

Test your knowledge

Recent articles

Latest GP poll

In your perception, how has Donald Trump's election to the US and related political discourse in the media concerning vaccine safety impact on your patients' willingness to follow Australian government recommended vaccinations?

Very negative impact

0%

Somewhat negative impact

0%

No noticeable impact

0%

Somewhat positive impact

0%

Very positive impact

0%

Find your area of interest

Once you confirm you’ve read this article you can complete a Patient Case Review to earn 0.5 hours CPD in the Reviewing Performance (RP) category.

Select ‘Confirm & learn‘ when you have read this article in its entirety and you will be taken to begin your Patient Case Review.

Upcoming Healthed Webcast

Tuesday 14th October, 7pm - 9pm AEDT

Speaker

Dr Sushil Pant

Orthopaedic Surgeon; Sydney Sports Medicine Centre

We invite you to our next free webcast, where Dr Sushil Pant will present on acutely painful shoulder. Up to 4 hours CPD. RACGP & ACRRM accredited.