Lepto outbreak threatens metro Detroit animals

[Shiloh]

Source: http://news.msu.edu/story/9952/

Bacterial disease outbreak threatens metro Detroit animals

Contact: Kristen Flory, College of Veterinary Medicine, Office: (517) 355-5165, florykri@cvm.msu.edu; Jason Cody, University Relations, Office: (517) 432-0924, Cell: (734) 755-0210, Jason.Cody@ur.msu.edu

Published: Oct. 27, 2011 E-mail Editor ShareThis
Carole Bolin


EAST LANSING, Mich. ? More than 20 cases of the life-threatening bacterial infection leptospirosis have been reported in Detroit-area dogs in the past three weeks, according to Michigan State University?s Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health.

Experts at the MSU center, a service unit of the College of Veterinary Medicine, diagnosed the specific strain of the disease, which can cause fatal damage to dogs and can be transmitted to humans.

In most cases, the dogs were not vaccinated against leptospirosis, or they had an uncertain vaccination history. Because this particular type of leptospirosis is associated with contact with rats, stray dogs are typically thought to be at highest risk...

 

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Re: Lepto outbreak threatens metro Detroit animals

Source: http://vetmedicine.about.com/b/2011/10/28/leptospirosis-outbreak-michigan.htm

Deadly Leptospirosis Outbreak in Michigan
By Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM, About.com Guide October 28, 2011

...There are several strains of leptospira bacteria, differing slightly in the severity of disease and species of animals that are most susceptible. The strain involved in this outbreak has been identified as icterohaemorrhagiae, which may cause severe disease in humans and animals. The kidney is the primary target organ, and the disease is most commonly passed via the urine of infected animals or stagnant water that contains infected urine...