Of all the nasty little "bugs" this
critter has to be one of the worst. Leptospirosis is the most widespread of all the
contemporary zoonoses and it encompasses every means a microorganism can
make you suffer.
Lepto, as it is sometimes called is spread by
direct contact with blood, urine or tissue containing the infective microorganism.
Its been found in raccoons, possums, fox, nutrias, beavers, muskrats,
and bobcats.
Exposure is possible by contact with contaminated water,
such as when setting traps, fishing, washing hands in streams etc.
Symptoms of Leptospirosis include fever, muscle
pain, pinkeye-like inflammation around the eyelids, nausea, diarrhea and
, occasionally, jaundice. Risk, once infected, include the potential for
liver, heart and muscle damage, pneumonia and meningitis, an
inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain.
Other symptoms include chills, stiffness,
especially in the neck, fever, a severe an persistent headache, pain
behind the eyes, weight loss, confusion, sweating, vomiting, a
productive cough, breathing difficulty and chest pain. In severe cases,
mortality rates can be as high as 30%.
treatment for Lepto is simple, antibiotics.
Prevention sounds a whole lot easier.!!!
