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France - Leptospirosis becomes a notifiable disease (Sante publique France, August 28, 2023)

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  • France - Leptospirosis becomes a notifiable disease (Sante publique France, August 28, 2023)

    Translation Google
    Leptospirosis becomes a notifiable disease


    Leptospirosis, a disease transmissible from animals to humans, has been on the list of notifiable diseases since August 24, 2023. Learn all about the disease, reporting cases of leptospirosis and what to do to protect yourself.

    Posted on August 28, 2023

    IN THIS ARTICLE
    Mainly flu-like forms, leptospirosis is also the cause of serious forms that can cause death. The disease is transmitted to humans by contact of damaged skin or mucous membrane with urine from animals carrying the infection or from an environment (fresh water, damp earth) contaminated by this urine.

    1 million cases per year of human leptospirosis in the world with 6% of deaths


    In order to act and prevent the risk of epidemics, but also to analyze the evolution over time of these diseases, improve knowledge and adapt public health policies to the needs of the population, certain diseases must be declared by professionals. of health, these are notifiable diseases (MDO). This device now has 38 DO diseases , with the addition of leptospirosis since August 24, 2023.

    Why does leptospirosis join the MDOs?

    In mainland France, including Corsica, the annual incidence has been estimated at around 1 case per 100,000 inhabitants since 2014, corresponding to around 600 to 700 cases listed annually by the National Reference Center and its partner laboratories throughout the country. . This surveillance system has never been evaluated and the completeness of this network is not known, with a probable underestimation of the number of cases.

    In the Overseas Departments or regions and the Overseas collectivities, leptospirosis is endemic there and the incidence is, depending on the territory, 10 to 70 times higher than in mainland France. Epidemic peaks appear during the rainy season or unusual climatic phenomena such as cyclones.

    Currently, a lot of information and knowledge is lacking on leptospirosis, particularly regarding the actual incidence of the disease, the emergence of new strains, the risk of transmission to humans from emerging animal reservoirs, etc.

    Adding leptospirosis to the list of MDOs will:
    • better knowledge of the epidemiology of leptospirosis and better monitoring of morbidity and mortality;
    • assess disease burden;
    • to better characterize at-risk populations in order to target public health interventions by adapting them to local epidemiology.
    The listing of leptospirosis as an MDO will also allow the identification of clustered cases for the purpose of implementing appropriate management measures:
    • alert to travelers and residents of hyper-endemic areas following unusual climatic events (eg cyclone, storm, monsoon, flood);
    • closure of access to waterways;
    • application of means of combating reservoirs (e.g. rat control, control of animal populations, control of effluents from industrial farms, drainage of flooded areas).

    TO DOWNLOAD
    DIAGNOSIS AND REPORTING OF CASES


    The action of Public Health France in the surveillance of MDOs

    Within the framework of regional and national surveillance, the epidemiologists of Public Health France centralize all the data, analyze them and transmit them to the public authorities with recommendations on the measures or actions to be put in place.

    They provide scientific expertise to the Regional Health Agencies (ARS) for epidemiological investigations, particularly when epidemics occur. Finally, they ensure the communication of this information to the actors of the system, to the medical and scientific community, and to the population.

    In addition, the Ministry responsible for Health and more particularly the Directorate General for Health are the recipients of health alerts and intervene, as necessary, in decisions on risk management in connection with the ARS. Surveillance data is transmitted by Public Health France to the Ministry responsible for Health, which uses it to define and adapt public health policies.


    What are the steps to take to protect yourself from leptospirosis?

    Prevention measures are based on collective control actions, such as rat extermination, control of animal populations in rural areas, management of effluents from factory farms, drainage of flooded areas and overall waste management.

    The prevention of leptospirosis is also based on individual protective measures against contamination by animal urine.
    • Wear appropriate protective equipment when:
      • high-risk professional activities (breeding, sewer workers, garbage collectors, farmers, working the land, etc.) including boots, gloves, waders, protective clothing, even anti-splash goggles in the event of a risk of projection;
      • the practice of white water sports such as canyoning, kayaking, including a protective suit, boots and gloves.
    • Avoid bathing in cloudy or muddy water.
    • Avoid walking barefoot or in open sandals on muddy ground, in puddles, stagnant water, ravines (especially in overseas departments).
    • Protect wounds from contact with water with waterproof dressings.
    After a risk exposure you must:
    • Wash with potable water and disinfect the wounds.
    • In case of fever, consult a doctor mentioning the risky activity practiced.


    ...

    https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/l...on-obligatoire
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