Identifying Leptospira Exposure Risks in Puerto Rico to Help Prevent New Cases of Leptospirosis

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the majority of leptospirosis cases in the United States occur in Puerto Rico, followed by Hawaii. An article published by the Yale School of Public Health in 2019 also wrote that leptospirosis “is far more prevalent in Puerto Rico than previously thought.” The article also shared that following Hurricane Maria in 2017, 57 confirmed cases of leptospirosis and 26 deaths occurred in a low-income community in San Juan.
 
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and animals such as rodents, dogs, livestock, horses and wildlife. It can cause a wide range of symptoms, or none at all. Some symptoms may be mistaken for other diseases. Without treatment, leptospirosis can lead to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, respiratory distress and death.
 
The disease is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months according to the CDC. Humans can become infected through contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals; and by contact with water, soil or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
 
Leptospirosis occurs worldwide, but is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is endemic in Puerto Rico and can be an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals. These include:

• Farmers
• Mine workers
• Sewer workers
• Slaughterhouse workers
• Veterinarians and animal caretakers
• Fish workers
• Dairy farmers
• Military personnel

“The disease has also been associated with swimming, wading, kayaking and rafting in contaminated lakes and rivers,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “In Puerto Rico and throughout the Caribbean, Zimmetry provides infection control, environmental and industrial hygiene testing and consulting services to identify and mitigate exposure risks to Leptospira and many other pathogens. These services protect the public, workers and help to keep companies and institutions in regulatory compliance.”
Zimmetry recently sponsored an educational video about leptospirosis and various occupational and environmental exposure risks to Leptospira. It can be seen at: https://youtu.be/m23WDvym2bY
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their infection control, environmental and industrial hygiene testing and consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals and Fortune 500 companies. The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America. The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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