CDC warning as Wyoming man catches dog disease that causes organ failure

men are Wyoming The CDC launched an investigation after it was discovered that the dog was infected with a rare disease that is spread through dog urine.

The man, whose name has not been released, sought medical help after fainting and suffering from unexplained fever, nausea, sweating and body aches for several days.

A few days later, the patient returned to hospital, where tests revealed he had fluid around his lungs and kidney damage.

Having worked closely with animals, he underwent numerous tests and studies before being diagnosed with leptospirosis. One in six patients dies.

of CDC The Wyoming Department of Health believes the man contracted the virus through his work, which included contact with three dogs that died under suspicious circumstances.

The investigation also revealed that there was an outbreak among dogs in Wyoming at the time, with 13 dogs testing positive for the disease and four becoming seriously ill and dying.

This is believed to be Wyoming’s first case of leptospirosis in 30 years.

Doctors have had a hard time diagnosing patients because leptospirosis typically thrives in areas with heavy rainfall and saturated soil, and is more common in the Appalachian states, the upper Midwest and parts of Texas.

The Wyoming man was treated with antibiotics and released from the hospital a few days later.

Experts have warned that dogs should be vaccinated against leptospirosis: Laboratory tests can show whether a dog has antibodies against leptospirosis and therefore has been vaccinated.

“Lifestyle factors that may increase dogs’ risk of infection include contact with domestic or wild animals, time spent in a kennel environment, and participating in activities that expose dogs to standing water or mud, such as exploring farmland, hunting, hiking, or swimming,” the researchers wrote.

Also, all veterinary and boarding facilities must properly clean their waste to prevent the spread of infection.

Leptospirosis is caused by the Leptospira bacteria, which is present in soil and water worldwide, but is most common in subtropical regions with high rainfall, such as Australia, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America.

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Animals such as rats, dogs and livestock may be infected with leptospirosis but may not show symptoms of the disease.

However, they may continue to shed bacteria into the environment continuously or occasionally for months or years.

Humans can become infected through contact with the urine of an infected animal.

The Wyoming patient said he “worked professionally with dogs,” but it’s unclear what his occupation was.

“The patients have no known link to canine cases but had occupational exposure to bodily fluids from multiple dogs, including three that died of unknown causes,” the experts wrote in the CDC report.

The same day the man began experiencing symptoms, three dogs were diagnosed with leptospirosis at a local veterinary clinic. A statewide analysis found that 13 cases were reported between August and October 2023.

Veterinary records and interviews with staff revealed that sick dogs experienced symptoms including vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite.

Additionally, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels were low, suggesting kidney damage.

Four of the dogs were either euthanized or died from severe illnesses. Five were kept at the same facility between August and September, though officials declined to disclose the name of the facility.

Leptospirosis is uncommon in the United States, with only about 100 to 150 cases diagnosed each year, and about 15 percent of those cases, or one in six, are fatal.

If untreated, leptospirosis can cause kidney failure, meningitis, liver damage and breathing difficulties.

There is no vaccine for humans, but a two-dose vaccine is available for dogs, and CDC experts say it’s usually only recommended for dogs living in high-risk areas, such as the Appalachian states, the upper Midwest and central Texas.

But the team said veterinarians were now switching to vaccinating all dogs.

The Wyoming patient was treated with oral antibiotics and released from the hospital.