04/03/2026
Dr Jacqui Epps (on the right in the photo), holds the space for zoonoses research at the School of Rural Medicine, and more widely in the University of New England’s OneHealth priority research area. Her recent peer-reviewed article concludes:
‘To strengthen Australia’s capacity to respond to an apparently increasing health threat of leptospirosis in particular communities, especially those responsible for much of Australia’s agricultural production [such as the New England area], it is essential to assess more closely the real burden of disease that is not captured by the current surveillance systems, and implement strategies to make these communities more resilient and informed to manage the risk.
Understanding the seroprevalence of leptospirosis in Australia is an essential component in its current management and is vital in the event of future outbreaks which will become more likely with increasing frequency of extreme weather events and rodent plagues.’
Key facts:
Leptospirosis is a notifiable bacterial disease linked to flooding and warm weather.
Outbreaks are increasing in frequency and severity globally, and new subtypes of Leptospira bacteria are evolving.
Leptospira bacteria are found in the urine and faeces of infected rodents, cattle, sheep, horses, some domestic pets and native mammals.
Humans usually contract the infection through direct contact with an animal or indirectly via broken skin contact with urine, inhalation or through contaminated water, wet soil and vegetation.
