Human Leptospirosis in Morocco 2011

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the family of leptospires. This bacteria is carried by many mammals, mainly rodents. Leptospirosis may occur as small outbreaks. It represents a real public health problem in developing countries. Leptospirosis is fundamentally linked to conditions of poverty and health education activities, urbanization and social integration are the basis of its control. It is a globally important zoonotic disease that affects humans on all continents but its social distribution is uneven. Leptospirosis is more common in rural populations, especially in developing countries. It can also occur in urban populations where there is an actual increase in incidence. Its impact on public health is often difficult to determine, sometimes because of low clinical suspicion, or, as is more common, difficulty in laboratory diagnosis. Although real progress diagnostics are ongoing, the disease remains difficult to diagnose early.