Leptospirosis, also known as Weil’s disease, is an infection that can be contracted from animals like rats, mice, cows, pigs, and dogs. The infection spreads through the contaminated urine of infected animals and is commonly found in hot, wet, and humid areas of Queensland. Leptospirosis is a notifiable disease, and if you or any of your fellow workers contract it, you must notify WorCover Queensland.
How can leptospirosis be contracted? Workers can catch leptospirosis if they come into contact with infected animals' urine on broken skin, eyes, or mouth, or by drinking contaminated water. The bacteria thrive in warm and wet conditions. Work environments that pose a risk include piggeries, dairies, working with animals or their parts, dealing with contaminated water, working in a sewer or plumbing, fishing industry, using infected manure in gardening, walking barefoot through floodwaters or mud, and engaging in outdoor freshwater activities like water sports.
The symptoms of leptospirosis can appear between five and 30 days after infection, ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe forms such as Weil’s disease. Symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, rash, and loss of appetite. In severe cases, symptoms can be serious or fatal.
Animals infected with leptospirosis may show symptoms like abortion or stillbirths, decline in milk quality and quantity, bloody urine, rough coat, severe fever, and death in young animals. If there's a suspected case in your herd, consult a vet for diagnosis, treatment, and discuss vaccination and biosecurity options.
Managing the risks involves collaboration between workers and management to create a safe workplace. Workers need to follow safety instructions, use equipment properly, and attend training. Employers, or those conducting a business, are obligated under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 to manage leptospirosis infection risks. This includes providing a safe working environment, ensuring safe systems of work, implementing safe practices, providing information, training, and supervision, fostering a consultative environment, and supplying and maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE).