Cluster of Ventura County, CA Farmworkers Diagnosed with Rare Leptospirosis

[C0RI0LANUS]

Ventura County public health officials said they’re investigating a rare and potentially severe disease diagnosed in several workers in county berry fields.

The illness, leptospirosis, is caused by bacteria found in contaminated water or soil. The disease can be spread by urine from animals including rodents and livestock.

In severe cases, the condition can cause kidney damage, liver failure, or meningitis and can be fatal.

Public health officials report the local cases appeared to have emerged between Sep 2024 and Nov 2024. They do not know the exact cause but said farmworkers harvesting or handling berries grown under hoops may be at higher risk of infection.

There are 18 reported, but the numbers are fluctuating. Some of the cases have been confirmed and others are presumed to be leptospirosis.


Ventura County farm worker. (Photo: VCStar)

Public health officials said leptospirosis is not considered a risk to the general public as the illness is not spread from person to person and it’s safe to eat berries.

Some patients reported severe symptoms like meningitis, an infection that can cause inflammation of membrane around the brain and spinal cord. Other cases involved mild symptoms like headache and fever.

Public health strongly advised agricultural workers and employers to take precautions to reduce the risk of leptospirosis:

Wear waterproof protective clothing and equipment while working outdoors including gloves, long-sleeved shirts, pants and boots or shoes.

Cover cuts and scratches with waterproof bandaging.

Wash hands, arms and exposed skin thoroughly with soap and water after working in the fields, especially before eating or drinking.

Employers should take measures to keep pest populations under control.

Officials inform that rodents are the most common source of the disease but livestock, dogs and cats can also be infected. People should keep pets away from ponds, lakes and other natural bodies of water and prompt veterinary care for animals that become sick.

The CDC reports that some infected people may have no symptoms. Leptospirosis sometimes occurs in two phases with initial symptoms that improve but are followed by more severe conditions like kidney/liver failure or meningitis.

An estimated one million severe cases of leptospirosis in humans occur every year, causing about 58,900 deaths. The disease is most common in tropical areas of the world but may occur anywhere. Outbreaks may arise after heavy rainfall.

Sources:

https://vchca.org/public-health/2024/11/19/cluster-of-locally-acquired-leptospirosis-infections/

https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2024/11/21/public-health-investigates-cluster-of-leptospirosis-infections-ventura-county-farmworkers/76465262007/

https://www.cdc.gov/leptospirosis/about/index.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptospirosis

[Irish_Dem]

1. What happens when Public Health is defunded?

[C0RI0LANUS]

2. Yup. The Blue States will have to step up and protect their citizens from harm.