Leptospirosis Cases in New Caledonia Linked with Climate Change

Leptospirosis Cases in New Caledonia Linked with Climate Change

A new study co-funded by the French Ministry of Research and Technology has been conducted by scientists in New Caledonia where annual cases of leptospirosis can reach as high as 500 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

Leptospirosis is an endemic disease in many tropical and sub-tropical countries worldwide. It is considered to be very high. Scientists had studied the rodent dynamics in New Caledonia and its close association to climate and seasonality change per year. The team of scientists concluded that climate determines the rise of leptospirosis cases in New Caledonia.

For very hot seasons like El Nino phenomenon there has been an increased abundance of rodents and in cooler months as well. Any mammal specie could potentially become reservoir of leptospira strain. But among all mammals, rodents are considered the most significant carriers of leptospira strain before disseminated to human beings. A person can get infected by leptospirosis once the mucous membranes or the skin gets contacted with leptospira strain from contaminated kidneys and urine.

Flood water and mud contributes to the increasing cases of leptospirosis.. During the study, scientists were able to determine that 75% of leptospirosis cases in New Caledonia were caused by the rodent population. Scientists believe the new advances in the prediction of climatic changes and phenomenon could highly provide an opportunity to predict the epidemics of leptospirosis in many tropical regions. This will help provide control and preventive measures such as drainage, river dredging and rodent pest control to prevent the occurrence of leptospirosis in frequently hit regions.

Posted by M.Ferrer on Sunday October 30 2011, 12:28 PM EST. Ref: Julie Perez et al. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0