An oft-overlooked yet highly contagious bacterial disease is attacking dogs in the Canton and Highlandtown sections of Baltimore. What?s more, state officials say, the disease could easily be transferred to humans.
Leptospirosis, or “lepto,” has been causing a mild panic in the 21224 ZIP code of Maryland as animal hospitals in the area have been reporting a higher-than-average number of cases.
“Since last Monday, we?ve seen about six or seven dogs that may have the disease,” said Tara Harrison, of Eastern Animal Hospital in Baltimore. “We?ve seen more than usual, but I don?t think it?s a major cause for concern.”
Leptospirosis is a disease that can be transferred to and from any warm-blooded animal through contact with an infected animal?s urine. It is typically transferred from rodents, like rats and squirrels, but can be transferred from any animal.
“We have had four confirmed cases in the past six months,” said Dr. Elizabeth Berliner, of Eastern Animal Hospital.
The last case reported before that was in 2001.
“If you have a dog, I would definitely have it vaccinated,” said Bud, a representative from Dundalk Animal Hospital who did not give his last name. “We?ve been seeing more cases of leptospirosis in the past six months.”
“Anyone living in the city should have their dog vaccinated because of the rat problem,” Harrison said.
Having your dog vaccinated does not completely protect it because there are seven different types of leptospirosis and the vaccine only protects against four of the strands. Some of the dogs recently diagnosed have had one of the unprotected strands, Berliner said.
Berliner also said there is no evidence that local dog parks are part of the problem.
“By no means can we implicate Patterson Park or other dog parks,” said Berliner. “It?s about rat urine. So alleys, backyards ? anywhere trash is.”
Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches and vomiting. If the disease is not treated, the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure and respiratory distress. The Maryland Department of Health reports that there has only been one human case of leptospirosis in the past 10 years, occurring in 2000.
