A comparative sero-epidemiological survey for the prevalence of leptospira antibodies in domestic animals and man in Nyandarua and Turkana districts of Kenya

Abstract

Leptospirosis In domestic animals and man is a worldwide problem of public health and economic significance. Of economic importance are the losses from abortion, still-births, infertility, reduced weight gains, decreased production and deaths. Man is susceptible to all pathogenic leptospires and the disease in domestic animals may be a source of infection to man. Leptospirosis has been detected in all countries where adequate investigations have been conducted. Detailed investigations have been carried out in Europe, Australia, New-Zealand, North and South Americas and South-East Asia. Relatively less has been done In Africa and thus, relatively little is known about Leptospira In African domestic animals and man. In Kenya, leptospirosis has been shown to affect cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, wild and pet animals, as well as man. The actual prevalence rates of leptospirosis in domestic animals and man are, however, not known since previous studies did not involve extensive surveys to determine these rates, especially in man, sheep and goats. There have not been any attempts to determine which serovars are prevalent in these animal species and man. No information is available on the epidemiological factors which could be contributing to the distribution of leptospirosis in the animal species most commonly associated with man.