Journal article
Leptospirosis following a major flood in Central Queensland, Australia
Epidemiology and Infection, Vol.141(3), pp.585-590
2013
Abstract
Throughout December 2010 and January 2011, Queensland experienced widespread flooding due to unusually protracted and heavy rainfalls. In mid-January 2011, four individuals from a small community in Central Queensland were hospitalized with leptospirosis. A further five cases were subsequently identified from around Central Queensland, bringing the total to nine. Microscopic agglutination testing found that serovar Arborea (Leptospira borgpetersenii serovar Arborea) was presumptively responsible for leptospirosis in seven of nine confirmed cases. Serovars Hardjo and Australis were identified in samples from two remaining cases. All cases had exposure to flood water. No single exposure source was identified. This is the first reported outbreak of leptospirosis in Central Queensland and the first report of leptospirosis cases associated with flood water inundation in Queensland. Public health authorities should continue to promote awareness of leptospirosis in flood-affected populations. Healthcare providers must maintain a high level of suspicion for leptospirosis during and after flood events.
Details
- Title
- Leptospirosis following a major flood in Central Queensland, Australia
- Authors
- James K G Smith (Author) - Queensland HealthM M Young (Author) - Queensland HealthK L Wilson (Author) - Queensland HealthScott B Craig (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Publication details
- Epidemiology and Infection, Vol.141(3), pp.585-590
- Publisher
- Cambridge University Press
- Date published
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.1017/S0950268812001021
- ISSN
- 0950-2688; 0950-2688
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448734102621
- Output Type
- Journal article
- Research Statement
- false
Metrics
4 File views/ downloads
886 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Infectious Diseases
- Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites