Abstract
Zoonoses caused by multiple etiological agents can occur in sporadic and epidemic form, resulting in high morbidity and mortality both in humans and animals. Leptospirosis is an important occupational zoonotic disease of global significance, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries of the world. Globally, leptospirosis is responsible for around 1 million cases and 60,000 deaths in humans every year. Several animals, including rodents, serve as the reservoirs, and animal urine acts as a source of infection. Humans can acquire infection by direct contact of the skin with moist soil, water, and vegetation contaminated with the urine of infected animals. The disease presents an occupational risk to the animal handlers, sugar cane growers, rice field workers, dairy farmers, sanitation staff, veterinarians, abattoir workers, garbage collectors, butchers, etc. Leptospirosis is characterized by a wide range of clinical symptoms, such as fever, conjunctivitis, nephritis, jaundice, and pneumonia. Clinical diagnosis should be supported by various standard laboratory techniques. Doxycycline can be used for prophylaxis in the high-risk groups. Preventive measures include occupational protection, environmental sanitation, rodent control, animal vaccination, robust surveillance, targeted chemoprophylaxis, and public education. The One Health approach, encompassing experts from human, animal, and environmental areas, is imperative for the control of this enigmatic zoonosis.
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