Study Of Leptospirosis

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 16

Study Of Leptospirosis

(N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, Jan. 28. An investigation will be launched in the Hauraki Plains area into the incidence of leptospirosis, a disease which can be fatal to humans and is suspected to be the cause of substantial stock losses. Mr S. Skeet, a member of the Turua Young Farmers’ Club, said that more than 800 copies of a questionnaire on leptospirosis would be distributed next week to farmers on the Hauraki Plains.

The questionnaire had been prepared by the Turua, Patetonga and Waitakaruru Young Farmers’ Clubs, in conjunction with the Fanners’ Veterinary Club of Ngatea and the Ngatea medical practitioners in an attempt to discover the economic importance of the disease.

“If we can prove the incidence here is high enough we may be able to get some research into causes and preventions,” said Mr Skeet. “Within the last 12 months

31 cases of leptospirosis have been reported in humans in the Ngatea district,” he said. “If the incidence here in humans is so high, the number of animals which have the disease must be terrific.”