Water sports in England
In England and Wales the rates of leptospirosis are very low, so there is no reason why you should not participate in freshwater recreational activities, such as swimming, sailing, water skiing or windsurfing.
An expert in leptospirosis has estimated that the risk of contracting a leptospirosis infection by taking part in these types of activities is as low as 1 in 10 million.
However, if you are regularly involved in freshwater activities, it is a sensible precaution to cover any cuts and grazes that you have with a waterproof dressing because there are other waterborne infections that you can catch, such as hepatitis A (a viral infection) or giardiasis (an infection caused by parasites). You should also shower or bathe after freshwater activities.
At work
If you have an occupation where you come into contact with animals (particularly rodents) and/or sources of contaminated water, such as farming or working with sewers or drains, wear adequate protective clothing. This could include waterproof gloves and boots, goggles and a mask.
Travelling abroad
If you are travelling to parts of the world where leptospirosis is widespread, you may wish to limit your exposure to fresh water. If you are unable to avoid coming into contact with freshwater sources, such as rivers, ponds or lakes, you should ensure that you wear adequate protective clothing.
You should also only drink sealed bottled water or fresh water that has been boiled. Always cover any cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings and clean any wounds as soon as possible.
Try to minimise your exposure to animal urine by avoiding areas where animals may have urinated, such as bedding and litter trays. If you suspect that you have been exposed to animal urine, clean the affected area of skin as soon as possible.
Never touch a dead animal with your bare hands.
Antibiotic prophylaxis
Antibiotic prophylaxis is where you take antibiotics as a precaution against becoming infected. However, there is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for leptospirosis, so it is usually only used in exceptional circumstances, such as:
- for emergency workers working in disaster zones where there is known to be an outbreak of leptospirosis cases
- for soldiers serving in areas where rates of leptospirosis are high
- for animal workers who may have been contaminated by an animal that is known to be a carrier of the leptospira bacteria
