[Leptospirosis and environment. Study of 2 major foci in New Caledonia]

A study of human and animal leptospirosis was carried out in new Caledonia's two most important focuses. This survey showed an annual incidence in the human population of 8.8 p. thousand in the Nera basin and 0.88 p. thousand in the Coulée basin. Male adults with agricultural and livestock occupations are the most exposed, especially from March to May, the end of the hot season. Frequent contacts with fresh water and animals, and the failure to use of gloves and boots, significantly increase the risk of contamination. Two factors of severity are important: serotype and age. Leptospira icterohaemorrhagiae is responsible for serious and fatal clinical forms and patients over 50 years of age have a maximum vital risk. In order to reduce the incidence and the severity of this disease, it appears desirable to vaccinate the farmers and the cattle breeders against L. icterohaemorrhagiae and to institute mass media information campaigns to warn against the risks of contamination.