Prevalence and Risk Factors
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide, except in polar regions. In the US, leptospirosis incidence in domestic dogs has increased markedly in recent years.1,2
Leptospira pathogens that pose a risk to both domestic animals and humans are broadly dispersed throughout the US. In a survey of 23,000 dog serum samples in the US, more seropositive results were documented in the northeast, Midwest, the northwest, and south-central regions of the US.1
No matter where dogs live, contact with rodents, wildlife, infected urine, or contaminated water sources can put them at risk for infection.
For example, dogs at higher risk of Leptospira infection include:
- Rural dogs that work, hunt, or herd.1
- Suburban dogs living near water or wildlife (even in fenced yards).1,3
- Urban dogs that walk in city parks or board in crowded kennels.1
With such a broad range of dogs at risk for exposure, evolving expert opinion suggests that all dogs should be considered for vaccination against leptospirosis.
References:
- Moore GE, Guptill LF, Glickman NW, Caldanaro RJ, Aucoin D, Glickman LT. Canine leptospirosis, United States, 2002–2004. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006;12(3):501−503.
- Brown K, Prescott J. Leptospirosis in the family dog: a public health perspective. CMAJ. 2008;178(4):399−401.
- McDonough PL. Leptospirosis in dogs: current status. In: Carmichael L, ed. Recent Advances in Canine Infectious Diseases. Ithaca, NY: International Veterinary Information Service; 2001. Available at: http://www.ivis.org/advances/Infect_Dis_Carmichael/mcdonough/ivis.pdf. Accessed August 8, 2010.
