Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Report from WHO-SEARO
excerpt
Leptospirosis in South East Asia: the tip of the iceberg?
Introduction
Leptospirosis is endemic in South East Asia with human infection reported throughout
the region2. Twelve out of eighteen selected regions/districts/provinces with the highest
human Leptospirosis incidence in the world are located in the Region.3 Major outbreaks
were reported in recent years more notably in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Outbreaks in the Region as well as in South and North America have contributed to
identifying Leptospirosis as a re-emerging infectious disease.4
- snip -
Conclusion
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease in South-East Asia. Climatic and
environmental conditions, host availability, population density and behavioural factors
favor high transmission of the disease in the Region.
The non-specific manifestation of the disease, limited laboratory capacity and lack of
transversal policy, all contributed to underreporting of cases hence undermining the true
prevalence of the disease. There is however evidence of an increased incidence in the
Region with a recurring hyperendemic-epidemic pattern of transmission. The high case
loads observed during outbreaks lead to increases in the number of cases requiring
secondary and tertiary care with a burdening of National Health Systems.
Leptospirosis however is preventable. Environmental control programmes (rodent
control, drainage of flooded areas and occupational hygiene) need to be implemented.
There is a need to gain a better understanding on the community beliefs, practices and
attitudes towards Leptospirosis and to increase its awareness of the disease and modes
of transmission. Epidemiological surveillance and laboratory capacity across the Region
will need strengthening in order to improve our understanding of the disease incidence
trends and it’s prevalence in order to design and monitor prevention and control
interventions.
1
Read more
See also :
Leptospirosis in the Asia Pacific region
Published: 4 September 2009
excerpt
Leptospirosis in South East Asia: the tip of the iceberg?
Introduction
Leptospirosis is endemic in South East Asia with human infection reported throughout
the region2. Twelve out of eighteen selected regions/districts/provinces with the highest
human Leptospirosis incidence in the world are located in the Region.3 Major outbreaks
were reported in recent years more notably in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Outbreaks in the Region as well as in South and North America have contributed to
identifying Leptospirosis as a re-emerging infectious disease.4
- snip -
Conclusion
Leptospirosis is a re-emerging infectious disease in South-East Asia. Climatic and
environmental conditions, host availability, population density and behavioural factors
favor high transmission of the disease in the Region.
The non-specific manifestation of the disease, limited laboratory capacity and lack of
transversal policy, all contributed to underreporting of cases hence undermining the true
prevalence of the disease. There is however evidence of an increased incidence in the
Region with a recurring hyperendemic-epidemic pattern of transmission. The high case
loads observed during outbreaks lead to increases in the number of cases requiring
secondary and tertiary care with a burdening of National Health Systems.
Leptospirosis however is preventable. Environmental control programmes (rodent
control, drainage of flooded areas and occupational hygiene) need to be implemented.
There is a need to gain a better understanding on the community beliefs, practices and
attitudes towards Leptospirosis and to increase its awareness of the disease and modes
of transmission. Epidemiological surveillance and laboratory capacity across the Region
will need strengthening in order to improve our understanding of the disease incidence
trends and it’s prevalence in order to design and monitor prevention and control
interventions.
1
Read more
See also :
Leptospirosis in the Asia Pacific region
Published: 4 September 2009