Case Report: Leptospirosis after a Typhoon Disaster Outside the Endemic Region, Japan

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2023 Jul 31;109(3):587-588. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.23-0133. Print 2023 Sep 6.

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that primarily affects people in tropical and subtropical areas worldwide. Owing to the temperate climate of Japan, leptospirosis is not endemic across the country. Domestic cases of leptospirosis have been mainly reported in Okinawa and the southwestern subtropical islands, but not in the other regions. Here, we describe a case of leptospirosis that developed and was diagnosed outside the domestically endemic region. Notably, disease onset occurred shortly after the patient experienced a flood after a typhoon disaster. With global warming, the international prevalence of leptospirosis may change. Physicians outside currently endemic areas must be aware of this tropical disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclonic Storms*
  • Disasters*
  • Humans
  • Japan / epidemiology
  • Leptospirosis* / diagnosis
  • Leptospirosis* / epidemiology
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology