title: Sporadic cases and an outbreak of leptospirosis probably associated with recreational activities in rivers in the northern part of Okinawa Main Island.
abstract: In the summer of 2003, sporadic cases and an outbreak of human leptospirosis probably related to recreation in rivers occurred in the northern part of Okinawa Main Island. Sixteen of 22 suspected cases were definitely diagnosed as leptospirosis by serological test or isolation. The infective leptospiral serovar in 14 cases was presumed to be Hebdomadis. Transmission was thought to occur by exposure to river water that was contaminated by the urine of infected animals. The findings indicate that recreation in rivers in this area is a significant risk factor for infection with leptospires.
authors.affiliation: Okinawa Prefectural Institute of Health and Environment, 2085 Ozato, Okinawa 901-1202, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaji
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Katsuya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Taira
authors.forename: Kiyomasa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Itokazu
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kudaka
authors.forename: Ryuji
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asato
authors.forename: Tomo'o
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kise
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Koizumi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045483:Rivers / Q000382:microbiology*; D012698:Serologic Tests