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Scientists at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) are developing a next-generation vaccine for leptospirosis, a serious disease affecting humans and animals.
The disease's prevalence is increasing due to climate change, making it a growing public health concern.
What is leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacteria Leptospira, which has over 300 strains.
It affects both animals and humans, leading to about one million reported cases and 60,000 deaths annually.
It is most common in tropical areas and warmer climates with lots of rainfall each year.
The carriers of the disease can be either wild or domestic animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs.
Weil's disease is the acute, severe form of leptospirosis
Infected animals spread the bacteria through their urine (pee).
They may continue to urinate the bacteria into the environment for several months or years.
The bacteria can survive in contaminated water or soil for weeks to months.
It is not spread from person to person, except in very rare cases.
Symptoms:
It generally takes 2-30 days to get sick after having contact with the bacteria.
Leptospirosis may occur in two phases.
In the first phase, people may have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, or diarrhea. The person may feel better for a while but become ill again.
Some people may suffer a more severe second phase with kidney or liver failure, or inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord (meningitis).
Treatment
While antibiotics are available, they often become ineffective when the bacteria invade vital organs.
Current vaccines exist for animals but do not protect against all strains, and there is no effective vaccine for humans that offers long-lasting immunity.
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