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The Health Inspectorate of the Wallon region of Belgium has reported an outreak of leptospirosis.
The outbreak occurred among boys attending a scout camp located on the banks of the Semois River in the province of Luxembourg, southern Walloon. Of the 25 boys particiapating in the camp, 10 developed syptoms of the illness which later was laboratory confirmed as leptospirosis.
The source of the outbreak is thought to be infected wildlife as reportedly some of the scouts handled a muskrat from the vicinity of the river and camp. Animals captured from nests close to the camp later tested positive for pathogenic Leptospira; water samples from the river were negative. An investigation into the outbreak is ongoing.
Advice for Travellers
Leptospirosis is caused by contact with fresh water, wet soil, or vegetation that has been contaminated by urine of animals that are chronically infected. The infection is transmitted through unhealed breaks in the skin, the eyes, or the mucous membranes. Rats, dogs, cattle, and pigs are the usual reservoirs for this organism. Leptospirosis occurs worldwide and frequently follows flooding after heavy rains.
