Leptospirosis in New England.

Area of Science:

• Environmental microbiology
• Zoonotic disease epidemiology

Background:

• Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira species.
• While rare in New England, it is enzootic in western and central Massachusetts.

Observation:

• Three cases of Leptospira interrogans, serotype var pomona, were recently identified in Easthampton, Massachusetts.
• These cases occurred in a region where the disease is enzootic.

Findings:

• The study indicates a potential for waterborne transmission of leptospirosis in human populations.
• Environmental factors may contribute to the enzootic nature of the disease in the region.

Implications:

• Findings suggest a heightened risk for waterborne leptospirosis epidemics in human populations in Massachusetts.
• Public health surveillance and preventative measures are crucial in enzootic areas.