Retrospective Study of Leptospirosis in Malaysia

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted to humans and animals by direct or indirect contact with urine or body fluids from infected animals especially rodents. Infection can be associated with wide clinical spectrum varying from asymptomatic to severe multi-organ syndrome with life-threatening consequences. We conducted a review of published studies on incidences, case reports, sero-epidemiological surveys from year 2000 to 2015 using different electronic data bases. Our study revealed that majority of the studies were conducted in Peninsular Malaysia and predominantly among high-risk human groups. Most of the studies on domestic animals were conducted in the 1980s; hence, the current status of leptospirosis among domestic animal population remains largely unknown. There tend to be a sharp rise in incidence rate among human population in the year 2014 which was attributed to flooding and heavy rainfall experienced as well as recreational activities. Several gaps in epidemiological knowledge were also disclosed.

Keywords: Malaysia; emerging zoonoses; leptospirosis; retrospective study.

Fig. 1

Number of leptospirosis cases in Malaysia from 2004 to 2015 (MOH 2015)

Fig. 2

Number of death from leptospirosis during 2004 to July 2015 (MOH 2015)