Lepto - still number 1!
Given the high profile leptospirosis is currently getting, especially from work being done at Massey, a national standard such as provided by Leptosure® becomes increasingly important and needed. The investigations of two recent outbreaks of disease in dairy farmers with supposedly 'vaccinated' herds (one outbreak mentioned below) further adds to this need.
Leptospirosis continues to be the most commonly acquired occupational disease in New Zealand. For 2010, there were 81 reported cases of leptospirosis in humans; 56% of these were in farmers or farm workers, 19% were in meat-processing workers. Ballum is now the most common serovar reported.
The Department of Labour recently investigated a case of a farmer and his two farm workers who contracted leptospirosis (L. borgpetersenii sv hardjo) in spring 2010. The 'preventative control programme' was an annual single shot of lepto vaccine of adult stock. No vaccination of young stock was carried out. The vaccination status of bought-in stock was not known. The farmer escaped prosecution but was required to put a leptospirosis control programme in place and to speak at a public forum about leptospirosis and the responsibilities of employers. The farmer has incurred a considerable cost in a blanket antibiotic treatment of the herd and is now instigating a total herd vaccination programme. This case highlights the need for correct advice about, and the monitoring of, vaccination programmes.
The Department of Labour advises that having a control programme, such as Leptosure®, would be a mitigating factor in any investigation of human cases arising from dairy farms.
While cattle and sheep have long been recognised as sentinel carriers of lepto, there is growing evidence that sheep and deer carry lepto and may suffer lamb and weaner losses. Affected animals, including wildlife, are often ‘silent' shedders.
The message is clear - vaccination alone is not enough to stamp out leptospirosis. Implemented correctly, Leptosure® reduces the risk to herd owners, workers and their families of contracting lepto.
