COMMUNICABLE DISEASE MANUAL POLICIES/PROCEDURES
LEPTOSPIROSIS
OBJECTIVE:
Control and management of Leptospirosis
DESCRIPTION:
A group of zoonotic bacterial diseases, with protean manifestations (influenzalike). Excreted in urine of animals and their carcasses. Leptospirosis occurs
as two clinically recognizable syndromes; anicteric and icteric. 90% will have
anicteric illness (influenza-like), however, 10% will be severely ill with icteric
form (jaundice, abnormal liver function tests, liver failure and renal failure).
Causative agent is the spirochete Leptospira interrogans.
Mode of
transmission is via contact of skin or mucous membranes with water, moist soil,
or vegetation contaminated by urine of infected wild or domestic animals;
ingestion of food contaminated with urine of infected animals; and inhalation of
droplet aerosols of contaminated fluids. Direct transmission from person-toperson is rare. Incubation period is usually 7 to 13 days, with a range of 2 to 26
days.
EQUIPMENT:
MDSS User Manual (disease specific form found in MDSS).
Microbiology/Virology
Test
Requisition,
MDCH
Web
site
at
www.michigan.gov/cdinfo
and
CDC
Web
site
at
www.cdc.gov/diseasesconditions/az/a.html.
POLICY:
Legal Responsibility: Michigan's communicable disease rules of Act No. 368 of
the Public Acts of 1978, as amended, being 333.5111 of the Michigan
Compiled Laws. Follow-up time within 72 hours post referral AND ENTER
INTO MDSS WITHIN 24 HOURS OF RECEIPT OF REFERRAL.
PROCEDURE:
A.
B.
C.
Case Investigation:
1.
Referral received per phone call, laboratory results, or
automatically through MDSS.
2.
Document all case investigation proceedings.
3.
Contact MD and/or client to start process of completing disease
specific form in MDSS.
Lab Criteria for Diagnosis:
1.
Diagnosis is confirmed by rising titers in serologic tests, such as
the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and by isolation of
leptospires from blood (first 7 days) or CSF (4-10 days) during
acute illness and the urine after the first week and during
convalescence.
2.
Serology will only be done if there is prior approval from MDCH
Microbiology Lab 1-517-335-8067.
Control Measures:
1.
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Preventive
2.
D.
2.
3.
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Immunization of farm animals and pets. Control rodents
in human habitations. Segregate infected domestic
animals.
b.
Educate public on modes of transmission and avoid
swimming or wading in potentially contaminated waters.
c.
Wear proper protection when work requires exposure.
Control of Patient
a.
Investigation of contacts and source.
b.
Isolation of blood/body fluid.
MDSS Case Report:
1.
RESOURCES:
a.
Complete case investigation using disease specific form in
MDSS.
Notify CD Supervisor that the case report is ready for review.
PHN will be notified if corrections are needed prior to closing
case in MDSS.
CD Supervisor reviews case for completeness and closes MDSS
case report.
Current Red Book
Current Control of Communicable Diseases Manual
Current disease specific “Fact Sheet”
Websites: www.cdc.gov/diseasesconditions/az/a.html
www.michigan.gov/cdinfo