Animal Rescue League, Vets Raise Alarm: Leptospirosis In Boston

BOSTON — Several cases of leptospirosis, which can be deadly to both pets and humans, were reported in Boston recently, and animal professionals are urging pet owners to consider vaccinating their dogs.

The uptick in cases of the bacterial disease is “alarming,” the Animal Rescue League of Boston said in a release this week, which also noted the most recent case was diagnosed over the weekend.

The ARL said three cases have been reported in Boston, and several more have been reported across the state.

The disease, spread through the urine of infected animals, is contracted when an animal or human makes contact with contaminated urine, water or soil. In cities, the bacteria is most often passed through rodents.

Not all pets that are exposed to the bacteria become sick, and milder cases can be treated with antibiotics, according to health officials. Initial symptoms in dogs can vary widely but often include lethargy, vomiting, increased drinking and urination and diarrhea.

Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, respiratory distress and death, according to the CDC. Health officials say it can spread to humans as well.

The CDC estimates that 100-150 leptospirosis cases are diagnosed in humans annually in the U.S., half of them in Puerto Rico. The largest recorded U.S. outbreak occurred in 1998, when 775 people were exposed to the disease. Of these, 110 became infected.

Although the number of human cases in the states is relatively low, it is considered to be the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world, according to the CDC.

Read more from: The CDC Page On Leptospirosis

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