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A cluster of leptospirosis cases in canoeists following a competition on the River Liffey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2004

M. BOLAND ,
G. SAYERS ,
T. COLEMAN ,
C. BERGIN ,
N. SHEEHAN ,
E. CREAMER ,
M. O'CONNELL ,
L. JONES  and
W. ZOCHOWSKI
M. BOLAND
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dublin Department of Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology, University College Dublin
G. SAYERS
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dublin
T. COLEMAN
Affiliation:
Leptospira Reference Unit, Public Health Laboratory Service, Hereford, UK
C. BERGIN
Affiliation:
Infectious Disease Unit, St James' Hospital, Dublin
N. SHEEHAN
Affiliation:
Communicable Disease Unit, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dublin
E. CREAMER
Affiliation:
Department of Public Health, Eastern Regional Health Authority, Dublin
M. O'CONNELL
Affiliation:
Community Care Area 5, South-Western Area Health Board, Dublin
L. JONES
Affiliation:
National Virus Reference Laboratory, University College Dublin
W. ZOCHOWSKI
Affiliation:
Leptospira Reference Unit, Public Health Laboratory Service, Hereford, UK
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Abstract

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On 6 November 2001, a possible case of leptospirosis was notified in a canoeist following a white-water event on the River Liffey. It emerged that a second race participant was also a possible case. An outbreak control team coordinated the epidemiological investigation, laboratory investigation, environmental assessment, communication and control measures. A cluster of six laboratory-confirmed cases of leptospirosis, serologically Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was found. The attack rate was 9·2% (6/65). Fever, chills, red eyes and shortness of breath were significantly associated with being a confirmed case. Five cases were hospitalized. Swallowing more than one mouthful of water was associated with an increased risk of developing leptospirosis. Increased rainfall and release of hydroelectric water may have contributed to this outbreak. A multidisciplinary approach and use of the Internet and e-mail facilitated rapid and effective communication.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 132 , Issue 2 , April 2004 , pp. 195 - 200
Copyright
© 2003 Cambridge University Press