Leptospirosis in Spain: Epidemiological Situation and Historical Context (2015-2023)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4321/s2173-92772024000400004Keywords:
leptospirosis, One Health, zoonoses, Epidemiological surveillanceAbstract
Introduction: Leptospirosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by spirochete bacteria Leptospira interrogans and transmitted to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected animals, especially rodents. The objective was to describe the epidemiology of leptospirosis in Spain during 2023 within the context of the 2015-2023 period.
Method: A descriptive analysis of leptospirosis cases in Spain from 2015 to 2023 was conducted using the Spanish National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE). The variables analysed were: sex, age, Autonomous Community, hospitalisation and death.
Results: In 2023, 64 cases were reported to RENAVE with a notification rate (NR) = 0.13 From 2015 to 2023, 362 cases were reported (NR 0.09). NR peaked in 2018 (NR = 0.15). Throughout this period, the number of cases and NR were consistently higher in men (NR = 0.14) and reached their highest in the 25-34 age group (NR = 0.13). The most affected communities were Extremadura (NR = 0.39), the Basque Country and the Canary Islands (NR = 0.34). In the whole period, 62% of cases required hospitalisation and the case fatality rate was 0.84%.
Conclusions: Between 2015-2023, leptospirosis NR has been relatively stable around 0.10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite this, it is important to continue implementing preventive and informative measures to avoid future outbreaks.
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Copyright (c) 2024 María Alonso-Colón, Daniel Cifo, Raquel Escudero Nieto, Isabel Jado García, Juan Miguel Guerras, Rosa Mª Estévez-Reboredo
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