A Case Study: Leptospirosis In Malaysia

Leptospirosis is one of the common re-emerging zoonotic diseases transmitted from infected animals to humans. It is a bacterial infection caused by a species of pathogenic leptospiragenus called Spirochaetes. The very first case of human leptospirosis in Malaysia was discovered by Fletcher in the year 1925. Pathogenic leptospires can spread through the urine of carrier animals to the environment. Flu-like symptoms such as severe headache, sudden fever of 39°C and above, eyes inflammation, muscle aches, diarrhea, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, chills, rigors and maculopapular rashes can be observed. Several antibiotics that are used to treat this disease are ampicillin, ceftriazone, doxycycline and penicillin. A good prevention for the spread of leptospirosis is by practicing good sanitation and avoiding any direct contact with urine contaminated soil and water. The recurrence of leptospirosis infection in the recent years proves to be a source for concern. Malaysian government should continue to work out measures to tackle this infection.