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Leptospirosis after recreational exposure to water in the Yaeyama islands, Japan

Masashi Narita1, Shigeki Fujitani, David A Haake

  • 1University of Pittsburgh, Internal Medicine Department, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232, USA. naritam@upmc.edu

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|October 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

An outbreak of leptospirosis in Japan was linked to contaminated water and soil following heavy rainfall. Recreational activities were a significant risk factor, highlighting the need for public health awareness and prevention in endemic areas.

Area of Science:

  • Zoonotic diseases
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Leptospirosis is a global zoonotic disease with diverse clinical presentations.
  • Outbreaks are often associated with environmental factors like heavy rainfall.
  • The Yaeyama Islands, Japan, are a known endemic area.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report on a leptospirosis outbreak in the Yaeyama Islands in 1999.
  • To identify risk factors and clinical manifestations.
  • To emphasize public health implications for recreational areas.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case analysis of hospitalized patients.
  • Epidemiological investigation of exposure routes (soil, water).
  • Clinical symptom and treatment outcome assessment.

Main Results:

  • Fourteen hospitalized cases of leptospirosis were diagnosed.
  • Exposure to contaminated soil or water was confirmed in all cases.
  • Recreational water sports (71%) were a more frequent exposure than occupational (29%).
  • Common symptoms included fever, chills, headache, myalgias, and conjunctival suffusion.
  • Antimicrobial therapy was effective; Jarisch-Herxheimer reactions occurred in 43%.

Conclusions:

  • Leptospirosis outbreaks can be associated with heavy rainfall and contaminated environments.
  • Recreational activities pose an increasing risk for leptospirosis transmission.
  • Early diagnosis, prompt treatment, and preventative measures are critical in endemic regions.

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