Leptospirosis Update March 2024

Leptospirosis February 2023 and March 2024 Update.

Breaking News:

There has been a diagnosed case of Leptopsirosis at a local veterinary hospital in the southern highlands.  Currently, (4/4/2024) the type (serovar) has not been determined yet.  We would like to advise our clients that we now have stock of Leptospirosis vaccine available again.  If you are concerned, or wish to make an appointment for vaccinations, we are available on 04-4872 2028.

Dr Keith and team at your local Mittagong Veterinary Hospital.

Dear valued clients & community, 

In October 2022 we issued an urgent Health Alert about a spike in dogs infected with Leptospirosis in NSW. A hot-spot was declared on the NSW South Coast of which the Shoalhaven LGA saw 18 reported cases, between April to November 2022. Of those 18 cases, a third were fatal (6 out of 18). Sixteen (16) of those dogs had not been vaccinated against Leptospirosis. Of great concern to veterinarians were the high number of these cases infected with the Leptospira serovar Australis; 14 of the 18 cases testing positive with the Australis strain. 

Why is this a concern?

Leptospira serovar Australis is normally only found in the north of Australia (far north Queensland and Northern Territory). As such, a vaccine to protect against Australis serovar has only been approved by the regulator in those regions. The Leptospirosis strain endemic to rats in NSW is Leptospira serovar Copenhageni, with a current vaccine (C2i Protech) approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Worryingly, some dogs who were tested in 2022 within the South Coast region were found to carry both the Copenhageni and Australis serovars.

 

Whilst the vaccine we use, for the serovar Copenhageni (C2i Protech) provides protection from that strain, we do not know if at all it protects from Australis. Vaccination is the best protection from Leptospirosis var Australis, as it may protect a dog from the rapid onset effects of Leptospirosis, such as severe to fatal renal failure. Furthermore, as the disease is infectious and zoonotic, prevention and protection from both these serovars are an immediate health priority in our region.

Since last year’s health alert, Sydney University’s School of infectious Diseases (Syd ID) has worked with the Australian Regulator, the APVMA, to secure a limited priority permit of the Australis vaccine (Trelidlia BioVet) for the Shoalhaven LGA. The vaccine will be available for dogs in the Shoalhaven LGA and rollout is just beginning so please understand if Shoalhaven LGA Vets do not yet have vaccine.. At this stage, only veterinarians within this LGA are able to gain access to the Australis vaccine and administer it to dogs in that LGA. 

 

If your dog frequents the Shoalhaven LGA, we urge you to contact veterinarians in the area to book them in for the Australis vaccine (Trelidlia BioVet). As always, where there are confirmed cases, the best medicine is always prevention through risk mitigation;

- Avoid having your dog visit hot-spots and where there are confirmed cases.

- Where this is unavoidable, do not give dogs access to stagnant water (ponds, lakes, puddles, canals, etc.) 

- Be aware of the presence of rats in a backyard or areas where your dog may have access to. 

- Veterinarians and Sydney University’s School of infectious Diseases recommend owners reconsider dogs having any close dog-to-dog contact in the Shoalhaven LGA; e.g. Boarding Kennels and Doggy Day Care. 

- These recommendations extend to all other areas where there have been confirmed Leptospirosis cases on the past year, including Newcastle (confirmed hot-spot), Wollongong LGA, Inner Sydney, Inner-West Sydney, Sydney’s Eastern suburbs and Northern Beaches, Central Coast and Canberra.

Please talk to your vet for more information and advice, or read through our blog on Leptospirosis for

1. Ways to protect against infection,

2. Signs of infection in your dog, and

3. What to do if you think your dog is infected.

Reference: https://www.mittagongvet.com.au/Mittagong/Blog/Leptospirosis-2022-A-Potentially-Fatal-Dog-Disease

 

There was a shortage of the (Copenhageni) C2i vaccine in late 2022. This supply has now become available and we urge dog owners to have their dog’s vaccination schedule up-to-date. Thankfully, the cost for the vaccine (Copenhageni) is not expensive. Risk mitigation is always the best way to protect your dog so we urge owners to stay vigilant as continuing wet weather hastens the spread of Leptospirosis throughout NSW. The C2i vaccine only covers the Copenhageni strain. Clients with dogs who travel to the South Coast areas, such as St George’s Basin, are urged to either have their dogs vaccinated with the Australis together with the Copenhageni strain C2i (these will be two separate vaccines) or reconsider travel into these areas during this time.

 

Thank you and stay safe!

Dr Keith & Mittagong Vet Hospital

February 2023




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