A waterborne outbreak of leptospirosis

Am J Epidemiol. 1987 Sep;126(3):535-45. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a114686.

Abstract

During the period from July 10-26, 1984, 33 cases of serologically confirmed leptospirosis occurred in a small town in central Italy. The fatality rate, including the deaths of two unconfirmed cases, was 8.6% (3 of 35). Based on serologic evidence, the infection was caused by leptospires of the serogroup Australis. Epidemiologic study showed that the patients contracted the infection by drinking water from a fountain. The source of leptospiral contamination was probably a hedgehog trapped in a reservoir of water not in use but still connected to the water system of the fountain.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / analysis
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Epidemiologic Methods
  • Female
  • Hedgehogs / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Leptospira / isolation & purification*
  • Leptospirosis / epidemiology*
  • Leptospirosis / immunology
  • Leptospirosis / transmission
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk
  • Sex Factors
  • Water Microbiology*
  • Zoonoses / microbiology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial