Hunters report Leptospirosis threat

In a release, the association’ president, Buddie G Miller, said, "mortality rates are high and this includes dogs which had been previously vaccinated against the disease. Outbreaks, with human mortalities have been reported recently from Jamaica and Guyana."

The infection is spread through direct or indirect contact with contaminated tissues, organs and urine. Transmission is "usually" through the mouth, mucous membranes or skin.

The disease can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress and death. Miller said, "Leptospirosis is already fully dispersed throughout our environment. It is of significant lethal risk to wild animals, livestock and humans. It must not be underestimated and requires urgent response."

Symptoms for humans and animals are flu-like, but may extend to red eyes, jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), diarrhoea and skin rash. Loss of appetite and blood in the urine are other signs.

He said the association has been engaged by the School of Veterinary Medicine (University of the West Indies, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex) to assist with obtaining wide based blood/tissue samples from hunting hounds and from captured wild animals.

"This effort is to isolate and identify any developing, potentially resistant strain of the Leptospira bacteria." Miller appealed for members of the association and the public to be aware of the growing threat and keep all kennels and animal exposed areas disinfected using diluted household bleach.

He said domestic and household animals should be observed for any signs of illness, and have all developing illness checked by the veterinarian.

Miller said if Leptospirosis is suspected/diagnosed, then the Vet School should be contacted through Dr Abiodun Adesiyun at 645-8329;777-7480; Dr Suepaul at 668-1632/774-7472; the Vet Clinic at 645-4481. Miller called for cooperation with field officers tracking the threat.

Dr Adesiyun, professor of Veterinary Public Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, told Newsday that the presence of Leptospirosis in dogs which were vaccinated was a "worrying development" and indicated that the serovars (type) of bacteria now most common in animals in the country may not be in the vaccine available. Vaccines offering protection are those which contain the most common serovars.

He said there were hunters who did not vaccinate their dogs, and others who did not return for boosters (every six months to a year after) as they should.

Dogs acquire the infection through exposure to rodents, particularly in the rainy and hunting seasons. Adesiyun said Leptospirosis posed a public health hazard because it can spread to humans.

He said the information from the hunters and the public was for an isolation and serological study being conducted by researchers from the Faculty of Medical Sciences, the Faculty of Science and Agriculture in collaboration with the Leptospirosis Reference Library in Barbados.

He said researchers will work with the Hunters’ Association to get kidney samples of hunted animals to try to isolate the type of Leptospira present.