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Written question asked by Caroline Johnson (Conservative) on Monday, 7 April 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 April 2025. It was answered by Ashley Dalton (Labour) on Thursday, 24 April 2025 on behalf of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Leptospirosis

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of (a) the number of cases of leptospirosis and (b) the epidemiology of those cases.

Answer

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosis

The following table shows the most recent figures of confirmed cases of leptospirosis in each quarter, from quarter one of 2023 to quarter two of 2024:

Quarter

2023

2024

Quarter one

5

15

Quarter two

8

15

Quarter three

34

N/A

Quarter four

23

N/A

Total

70

N/A

Leptospirosis cases in England show seasonality, with more cases reported in summer and autumn. Many cases diagnosed in England report exposure to potentially contaminated water or direct contact with rodents as the probable source of infection. Reported infections are most common in adult men, likely due to occupational and recreational exposures. However, infection can occur in anyone directly exposed to urine or urine-contaminated environments, regardless of age or sex.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
44516
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Leptospirosis
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk