AT least 95 percent of Zimbabweans risk being infected by leptospirosis, a bacteria that can cause severe health complications, such as lung bleeding, a study has shown.
Leptospirosis is a zoonosis condition that is commonly found in dogs and can be transmitted to human beings without them knowing it.
In dogs the disease manifest through septicaemia, renal and hepatic diseases and other abnormalities.
One of the experts who carried out the research from the department of Clinical Veterinary at the University of Zimbabwe Dr Solomon Dhliwayo said studies conducted showed that the disease was prevalent in the country yet most people were not aware of it.
“Considering the number of respondents, only five percent are aware of leptospirosis as a zoonosis and the majority of pet owners are not,” he said.
“Many people are at risk of getting the bacteria, hence, awareness, teaching and training programmes for pet owners need to be instituted to improve disease control and reduce the public health risk of pet zoonesses.”
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) leptospirosis can cause severe illness that include breathlessness, lung bleeding, cardiac arrhythmia or failure, headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, cough and skin rash.
In Zimbabwe there is limited information on canine leptospirosis.
He said people had to avoid getting into contact with water accessed by dogs as the bacteria thrives in moisture conditions.
“Leptospirosis is a life threatening disease and it usually affects humans during the wet season,’ said Dr Dhliwayo.
“It is caused by exposure to water and mud contaminated with the urine of infected animals like dogs, cattle, pigs, rodents and wild animals.”
Infected human beings usually develops fever with chills, headache and muscle pain.
Dr Dhliwayo said leptospirosis was usually confused with common diseases such as dengue fever, malaria, and flue in human beings.
“Delay in treatment can lead to serious illness and even death of animals and human beings, therefore, correct laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis is a must in both animals and humans.”
Currently, only urban dogs are vaccinated but there are no checks for leptospirosis.
Dr Dhliwayo said there was need for owners to vaccinate their dogs specifically for the disease to prevent the spread and prevalence of the disease.
“There is need to review the vaccination regime against leptospirosis in all areas around the country,” he said.
He said further epidemiology studies were required to identify the prevailing and emerging zoonotic risks posed by the disease.
“This will enable formulating appropriate control measures against the disease, such as the use of a polyvalent commercial vaccine that include the new serovars,” said Dr. Dhliwayo.
The studies to show the existence and prevalence of leptospirosis were conducted in urban Harare and five rural communities that included Marumani, Machuchuta, Kariba and Malipati.
A total of 250 dog samples were collected and the overall prevalence of the bacteria was 15,6 percent, a high figure according to veterinary experts.
Overall urban dogs recorded a larger number of infections as compared to rural pets with female dogs having high infection rate compared to males.
According to the W HO Leptospirosis is under reported in many countries because of difficult clinical diagnosis and the lack of diagnostic laboratory services.
Human leptospirosis mostly affects vulnerable populations in rural settings and semi-urban slums.
Studies have shown that leptospirosis represent up to 20 percent of febrile illness of unknown origin.
Studies have suggested that the highest median annual incidence occurs in Africa followed by the Western Pacific, the Americas, South-East Asia and Europe.
An improved understanding of the risk factors and drivers for leptospirosis transmission and infection is needed to devise improved integrated interventions for reduction of sources of infection, experts contend.