AN OUTBREAK OF LEPTOSPIROSIS ON A SINGLE FARM IN EAST OTAGO

Aims. To present an outbreak of leptospirosis on a dairy farm which ha d an unvaccinated herd. Methods. Nine people working or living on the farm were tested for the presence of leptospira antibody by the micros copic agglutination test. Nineteen cows randomly selected, were also t ested. Results. Three human cases and one suspected case were detected over a one month period (December 1992-January 1993). Seventy-nine pe rcent of the dairy herd tested had serological evidence of infection w ith L hardjo. Conclusions. Leptospirosis continues to be a major occup ational problem in New Zealand. The importance of herd vaccination and the use of protective clothing during milking is emphasised.