Rural Women New Zealand and Massey University have partnered to raise funds for continued research on Leptospirosis and to increase awareness about the disease’s risks to rural communities.
Dr Julie Collins-Emerson, who was one of the founding members of the Leptospirosis Research Group at Massey University, says that although infection rates of the disease have spiked in Northland after the flooding following Cyclone Gabrielle, South Island communities are still at risk.
“It’s always been here.
“It’s in beef and dairy cattle, sheep and deer.
“It’s definitely an issue in the South Island.”
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans through the urine of infected animals or contaminated water.
It can cause flu-like symptoms and, if left untreated, may lead to liver and kidney damage, meningitis, and chronic fatigue.
Early treatment with antibiotics can prevent long-term complications. Research from Massey University suggests that 70% of those who contract the disease will need to be hospitalised, and half of those patients may experience long-term effects of the illness.
Rural residents are 14 times more likely to contract Leptospirosis than those living in urban areas.
Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease, with around 170 people diagnosed each year. However, actual infection rates are thought to be much higher than this, as scientists suspect that many people are being misdiagnosed.
“Diagnosis can be quite difficult because the disease can mimic the flu, so a lot of people just think they have the flu,” Collins-Emerson said.
Additionally, current testing requires two blood tests, which Collins-Emerson said can discourage people from completing the test correctly.
“It can be inhibitory for people, particularly if they have already gone onto antibiotics.
“They may already feel better, so they don’t return for the second test, so it never really gets diagnosed.”
Collins-Emerson said a joint effort between healthcare professionals and rural communities is required to raise awareness of the disease, and more education is needed across the board.
“It’s everybody’s job to be aware of the risks.
“If you are exposed to animals or an environment where there might be a risk of infection, be careful and be aware.
“But we also know there needs to be more suspicion raised in the medical profession, particularly when overseas doctors come for short periods of time.
“It’s not the typical thing they will be looking for.”
Red Eye in cattle and early abortion in cattle and sheep can be indicators of the disease in animals, and the disease can also be difficult to diagnose in stock and often be asymptomatic.
“The troubling thing is that sometimes there are no obvious signs for animals at all, which creates more risk for people.
“Sometimes you can have animals which are infected, and are infecting people, but the animals have no clinical signs.”
Rural Women New Zealand has made raising funds and awareness for Leptospirosis their national project until June next year.
The organisation has raised a quarter of a million dollars since the 1970s to help fund research into controlling the disease, and Rural Women New Zealand national president Gill Naylor said they are committed to continuing to support raising the profile of Leptospirosis.
“We have a proud history over the past 50 years of raising awareness and much-needed funds to better control the disease. By making Leptospirosis our national project until June 2025, we can again mobilise our members across the country.”
“This is especially important as New Zealand has one of the highest rates of leptospirosis in countries with temperate climates in the world.”
Naylor encourages anyone feeling unwell who has been working in an environment where they could have been exposed to the disease to get tested.
“It’s a specific test that needs to be done; unless you are aware that you have been exposed to the risk, you won’t know to ask for a test.”
By Claire Inkson
