Review of leptospirosis notifications in Queensland 1985 to 1996.

To provide an overview of leptospirosis in Queensland, the World Health Organization/Food and Agriculture Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis undertook a study of notifications of the disease from 1985 to 1996. The review encompassed information drawn from notifications to Queensland Health and questionnaires sent to doctors. Notifications were highest between February and July and the highest population rates were identified in the Central West and Peninsula Health Regions. Ninety-one per cent of notifications were for males. At risk population groups included meat workers, those working with farm animals and banana workers. The study found the incidence of leptospirosis was higher in 1996 than in previous years. Improved diagnosis and surveillance will aid our understanding of the preventable risk factors for leptospirosis, especially in geographic areas not considered at high risk and in groups not in occupations traditionally linked to the disease.