Leptospirosis

**Definition:** A disease caused by an infection with the gram-negative bacteria Leptospira. In the first phase, this disease is characterised by generalised illness (fever, chills, or myalgias) or individuals may be asymptomatic; in the second phase, the heart, liver, kidneys, or brain may be affected by the infection (symptoms are dependent on the site affected). Transmission is by ingestion of contaminated food or water, droplet transmission, or direct cutaneous contact. Confirmation is by identification of Leptospira in samples from the affected individual.

**Long definition:** Leptospirosis is a disease that is caused by pathogenic spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. Leptospirosis is transmitted via direct contact with the body fluid of an acutely infected animal or by exposure to soil or fresh water contaminated with the urine of an animal that is a chronic carrier.