Canine Leptospirosis Surveillance in Washington February 19, 2008

Canine Leptospirosis Surveillance in Washington

• February 19, 2008

• ADED Zoonoses Rounds

• Liz Dykstra, PhD

• Zoonotic Disease Program

• Washington Dept. of Health

The Washington State Situation

• Leptospirosis Overview

• History

• Findings

• Outbreaks

• Ongoing & Future Work

Clinical Signs & Lab Test Results

• Vomiting

• Anorexia

• Abdominal discomfort

• Febrile

• Weight Loss

• Depression/Lethargy

Ecology

• Mammalian Reservoirs

• Settle into kidneys; shed in urine
• Reservoir infected for life

• Also found in fresh water, soil, & mud

How are people and dogs getting leptospirosis?

Notifiable conditions and the veterinarian

• Purpose

• Integrate veterinarians into the public health system.
• Enhance surveillance for zoonotic diseases, which indirectly enhances human surveillance
• Enhance recognition and capacity to investigate emerging pathogens in animal reservoirs
• Detect agents used intentionally in biowarfare.

Flowchart for Veterinary Notifiable Conditions

History of DOH Surveillance Program

Case Definition*

• Acute onset of clinical signs including at least one of the following: fever, inappetance, abdominal pain, vomiting, jaundice, or polydipsia/polyuria, or oliguria.

• AND

• Laboratory findings of azotemia or elevated liver enzymes

• OR

• Histopathological diagnosis consistent with leptospirosis

• AND

• MAT titer >1:800 for Leptospira OR

• FA+ urine OR

• Histological staining of tissues positive for Leptospira

Morbidity & Mortality (n=183)

Average Monthly Reported Cases of Canine Leptospirosis in Washington July 2004 – January 2008 (n=183)

Canine Leptospirosis Cases by County July 2004 – January 2008

Leptospirosis Cases by Age & Gender (n=183)

Exposures

• Wildlife

• Raccoons

• Rats

• Opossums

• Squirrels

• Access to standing or slow moving water

Leptospira Serovars Detected

Outbreaks

• Bainbridge Island, King County

• December 2006

• Vashon Island, King County

• Dec 2005–Feb 2006

Ongoing and Future Work

• Vet and Owner Fact Sheets

• Canine Leptospirosis web site

• Brochures

• Downloadable Tools

Questions?