TY - JOUR AU - Phraisuwan, Phran AU - Whitney, Ellen A. Spotts AU - Tharmaphornpilas, Piyanit AU - Guharat, Suriya AU - Thongkamsamut, Samart AU - Aresagig, Suphaporn AU - Liangphongphanthu, Jayteeya AU - Junthima, Kanlayanee AU - Sokampang, Apirat AU - Ashford, David A. T1 - Leptospirosis: Skin Wounds and Control Strategies, Thailand, 1999 T2 - Emerging Infectious Disease journal PY - 2002 VL - 8 IS - 12 SP - 1455 SN - 1080-6059 AB - After an outbreak of leptospirosis in workers who participated in cleaning a pond during September 1999 in Thailand, a serologic survey was conducted. Among a cohort of 104 persons from one village who participated in pond cleaning activity, 43 (41.3%) were seropositive for immunoglobulin M antibodies against Leptospira, indicating recent infection. Only 17 (39.5%) of 43 seropositive persons reported a recent febrile illness; the remaining seropositive persons were considered asymptomatic, suggesting that asymptomatic leptospirosis infection may be common where leptospirosis is endemic. Multivariable logistic regression indicated that wearing long pants or skirts was independently protective against leptospirosis infection (ORadjusted = 0.217), while the presence of more than two wounds on the body was independently associated with infection (ORadjusted = 3.97). Educational efforts should be enhanced in areas where leptospirosis is endemic to encourage the use of protective clothing. In addition wound management and avoidance of potentially contaminated water when skin wounds are present should be included in health education programs. KW - Leptospirosis KW - Leptospira KW - skin wounds KW - control strategies KW - Thailand DO - 10.3201/eid0812.020180 UR - https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/8/12/02-0180_article ER - End of Reference