Evaluating a Response to a Canine Leptospirosis Outbreak in Dogs Using an Owner Survey

Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that spreads through contaminated soil and water or directly from infected animals through urine. Although animal-to-human transmission is low, humans are most susceptible to contracting leptospirosis from these contaminated sources. This makes leptospirosis a public health concern, and therefore it is important to control these bacteria from spreading into the environment. A survey targeting Los Angeles County communities, in which a 2021 leptospirosis outbreak occurred, was sent out via groups on the online platforms Instagram and Facebook to gather dog and owner demographics. With 92 (90.2%) respondents having a primary veterinarian, it could not be determined what caused certain owners to have a greater vaccination rate than those who did not (n = 10; 9.8%). Overall, 69 respondents (68%), regardless of whether they had a primary veterinarian or not, reported not knowing of canine leptospirosis and 79 (77%) not knowing the signs to look for or that it is zoonotic. These data help provide a basis in terms of the status of dog owners' knowledge of leptospirosis and how to begin to inform dog owners better about preventatives for this disease.