Epidemic of leptospirosis causes travel notice for Israel

An epidemic of leptospirosis in Israel, which has left dozens of people sick, has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a travel advisory for those traveling there.

Health officials in Israel reported a leptospirosis epidemic in the Golan region of northern Israel. Cases have been linked to seven water sites, six of which are currently closed to the public: Gilabun (Jilbon), Majrase, Meshushim, Yarden (Jordan), Yehudiya, Zakhi and Zavitan waterways.

In response to the outbreak, the Israeli Ministry of Health is working to manage the situation with the Israeli health care sector, the Nature and Parks Authority, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, the water authority and Mekorot. company of the waters of Israel).

The most at-risk travelers are those who are exposed to contaminated freshwater (such as lakes and rivers in the affected area) through activities such as swimming, wading, kayaking, or swimming. rafting.

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Leptospirosis is a disease transmitted by animal urine. People are infected when they come in contact with the urine of infected animals or with water, soil or urine-contaminated food.

Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), red eyes, stomach upset, diarrhea and rarely a rash. This disease can be fatal and in the most severe cases can lead to kidney or liver failure, meningitis (swelling of the tissues covering the brain) or hemorrhage into the lungs.

The CDC advises travelers in areas at risk of leptospirosis to take the following steps to prevent the disease:

• Avoid contact with water or soil that may be contaminated with animal urine, including the seven specific water bodies listed above.
  • Do not paddle, swim, drink or swallow water from lakes or rivers that may be contaminated.
• Cover cuts or abrasions and wear impervious protective clothing, especially shoes, if you come into contact with water that is likely to be contaminated.
• Talk with your health care provider about taking medication to prevent leptospirosis if you can not avoid contact with potentially contaminated water or soil. Be sure to inform your health care provider of all your planned activities.

In the United States, no vaccine has been approved to prevent leptospirosis.

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