PUBLIC-HEALTH IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN LEPTOSPIROSIS IN THE SOUTH-PACIFIC - A 5-YEAR STUDY IN NEW-CALEDONIA

A retrospective study of 192 cases of human leptospirosis in New Caled onia (South Pacific) diagnosed between 1989 and 1993 showed that the d isease was endemic throughout the territory. The annual incidence rate was 30 per 100,000 population, and the disease was more frequent in m ales (67.5%). Case occurred mainly in March each year. Forty isolates were obtained (20.8%) and identified as belonging to serovars icteroha emorrhagiae (28), pomona (6), pyrogenes (3), ballum (2), and javanica (1). Most cases (54.7%) presented as influenza-like illnesses, while c lassical Well's syndrome (fever, jaundice, and renal involvement) occu rred in only 15.6% of the patients. Severe ocular complications were f ound in 3.6% of the patients. Local differences in climate, environmen t, and socioeconomic conditions determined the epidemiologic features. These data emphasize the potential public health importance of leptos pirosis in the other insular states in the South Pacific.