🚨Leptospirosis update🚨

Last Wednesday night I organised a meeting of local veterinarians and key specialists to discuss the leptospirosis issue we are experiencing in Sydney. Drs Caryn, Nicky, Jess, and Courtney joined the discussion. It was wonderful to have 50 of my learned colleagues in the room.
 
Speaking at the event were Dr Jody Braddock, from SVES Sydney Vet Specialists, who has treated one of the presenting dogs, Dr Christine Griebsch from University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sydney who is an expert in the field and Dr Gavin Harper from Boehringer Ingelheim, the vaccine manufacturer. I would also like to publicly thank Dr Christine and the entire University team who have dedicated money and time to collect samples, analyse, review and then report the current situation with facts. Leptospirosis has been in Sydney for over 50 years. What we don’t know is why we have had a spike of cases in the last 6 months, and what the true risk is to our community.

What we do know however is:

1. There has been a further case of leptospirosis from the Surry hills area that died 10 days ago at the university.
2. 6 dogs have died from the disease recently and all have been in the Surry hills area except one that was a known ratter from Glebe.
3. The geographical areas of concern centre on Surry Hills.
4. Conservation Biologist Dr Peter Banks has suggested that rats very well may travel up to 3km (and possibly 5km) from this area and hence carry Leptospirosis.
5. The advice is to vaccinate all dogs in, or which visit the 3km high risk area. We also recommend vaccinating dogs that eat rats of have significant rat contact. Please note this includes Centennial park.
6. It should be remembered that infection can occur only by:
   • Contact of the bacteria across Intact mucus membranes (ingestion), abraded (cut) skin
   • Contact with infected urine or soil, water, food that have been contaminated with infected urine
   • Bite wounds (infected rodents)
7. There is a zoonotic risk, ie the disease can affect people. It is important especially if you are immunocompromised to vaccinate your pet.
8. The vaccine is given twice – with an initial injection and a booster 2 to 4 weeks later.

 
As a side note, I was somewhat vocal at the alarmist reports that were put out there by several groups in the last month regarding this issue. It is extremely important that we don’t fuel fake news. As a scientist that has devoted my life to the welfare of pets and their owners, I feel responsible in ensuring that we do not panic and that we act responsibly. It may mean when the Armageddon comes I will not be prepared….. but who will!
#Leptospirosis #rats

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