Research shows devastating effect of leptospirosis
Rural Women New Zealand is highlighting the devastating impact on families of leptospirosis, a disease that can be passed from animals to humans.
Fiona Gower, an RWNZ member from Port Waikato, told the Veterinary Association conference in Hamilton that leptospirosis is amajor health concern for rural people as New Zealand has one of the highest rates of infection in the world.
Liz Evans, Rural Women’s national president, says when animals are affected it can lead to severe stress for farmers dealing with poor animal health, a drop in milk production, poor reproduction and loss of stock.
‘‘But when a family member or members contract the disease the impacts are huge,’’ she says. ‘‘Depending on the severity of the case, it will mean a long illness and recovery time, and at worst, death.’’
‘‘When a family member contracts the disease the impacts are huge.’’
Rural Women has collected stories from people who have caught the disease, about the months and even years taken from people’s lives, and the long-term impact on their health and finance.
Evans says strengthening links between the research and medical sectors and the rural community is key to eradicating lepto.
‘‘Working collaboratively we can raise awareness of leptospirosis and how to prevent it through vaccination of stock and good hygiene practices.
‘‘In people, early diagnosis and treatment are also important in minimising its severity and longterm effects.
‘‘Rural people and farmers presenting at their GP with nonspecific symptoms should always request that a test for leptospirosis be included in the blood test lineup, although antibodies will not be present for two to three weeks.’’
In people the mild form of lepto is a minor flu-like sickness, but without the respiratory symptoms. The severe form may include extreme headaches, high fever, nausea, muscle pain, breathing and vision problems and diarrhoea. Rural Women leads the Farmers Leptospirosis Action Group, which is conducting research into leptospirosis at Massey University, looking at the cost-benefits of vaccinating sheep and cattle.
Rural Women has been involved in the fight to stamp out leptospirosis since the 1970s.
At that time, members raised more than $150,000 to fund research that led to the development of vaccines for dairy cattle and pigs.
With the death of ameat worker in 2006, Rural Women raised $107,000 for further research at Massey into transmission pathways from animals to people.