Leptospirosis RWNZ and Massey Uni: partners on a journey of discovery. Julie Collins-Emerson* Jackie Benschop, Peter Wilson, Cord Heuer. Rural Women NZ Annual Conference, Rotorua,16 Nov 2014.
History in NZ Only two native land mammals in NZ, (bats) Lepto came in with imported livestock and other introduced animals (e.g. rats, hedgehogs, possums) Therefore, limited no. of serovars (types) Very diff. situation to overseas where lepto spills over from wildlife into the domestic animals and humans
The history in NZ Because NZ s situation is unique, we need to approach management of lepto in a unique way.
The history in NZ 1951 first diagnosed case of lepto on a dairy farm Involved calves and humans Outbreak attributed to serovar Pomona. Leptospirosis continued to be mainly dairy or pig industryassociated. Peaked at 875 cases in 1971.
History of Massey Uni research Roger Marshall Mid 1960 s - Roger Marshall at Massey had a personal interest in the disease. Roger went on to carve out a lifelong career in lepto research becoming a world authority. A flurry of research began at Massey Uni in the 70s starting with a postgraduate was awarded $15,000 from the Pork Industry Council to investigate lepto in pigs.
and along came WDFF. The Women s Division of Federated Farmers appreciated the impact lepto was having on rural families and communities and so launched a fundraising campaign to provide money to further lepto research in NZ The $45,000 raised went on to support two PhD students as their Golden Jubilee project.
Flashback 1973
Continued support 1984 lepto fundraising was re-launched as a WDFF Diamond Jubilee project pig lepto total during the 1970s and 1980s around $150,000 was raised by WDFF Over 70 research papers published by Massey scientists with WDFF financial support, and vaccines developed for cattle and pigs
Vaccination programme A national vaccination programme (bi-valent Pomona/Hardjo vaccine) was introduced at the beginning of the 1980s. Saw a corresponding dramatic decline in reported cases of leptospirosis.
Human cases Huge improvements since the 1970s BUT It remains our most important occupational infectious disease
In the doldrums Lepto went quite from the mid 1980s to early after the turn of the century. A perception that it was done and dusted (NW story.)
Nothing is permanent but change. Heraclitus Changes in farming practices, land use, climate, vaccination programmes, increasing urbanisation and population growth can all have an effect on the incidence of lepto, maintenance hosts and strain prevalence. Take home message: Leptospirosis is a dynamic disease and continued vigilance is required.
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Number of notified cases NZ Notified Cases: 2001-2012 By Serovar By Occupation 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Hardjo Pomona Ballum Tarassovi Copenhageni Canicola Year
NZ Notified Cases: Trends by Serovar and Occupation Ballum Hardjob. Tarassovi Pomona
Notified cases: farmers and meat workers
The Impetus for further research 2006 Bay of Plenty Times article excerpt: By SUSIE STEENS and DAVID DUNHAM A Bay man has been confirmed as being the first New Zealander to die from leptospirosis - a killer animal-borne disease he caught at work. Now Johnny Taewa's widow Cathy says every step had to be taken to prevent others from suffering the "heart-breaking" tragedy that she has had to go through. Her husband of nearly 21 years Tehaena (Johnny) Cairns Taewa, died in January 2006, aged 50.
A new push 2008 Massey overwhelmed by response Rural Women NZ ISSUE No.2 June 2008 $107,000 raised by RWNZ! 2009 President Margaret Chapman and Past President Sherrill Dackers flank Assoc. Prof. Cord Heuer and Dr Jackie Benschop at the presentation of RWNZ s lepto cheque
What has been achieved in the last 6 years RWNZ helped fund PhDs RWNZ s fund raising efforts provided financial support for two students, both of whom were women. Dr Anou Dreyfus to do a PhD studying workers at sheep and deer abattoirs. Study revealed a high exposure to the disease, especially at the beginning of the slaughter board. Was a milestone in public health in lepto. Dr. Fang Fang was also supported by RWNZ funds. Her PhD was focused on improved diagnostic testing for leptospirosis in animals and humans. Refined diagnostic test selection with stage of disease.
Other projects undertaken Lepto in veterinarians, vet students, farmers, Lepto in farm dogs Estimation of the rate of under-estimation of the disease (true case numbers could be up to 40 times greater then reported) Effects of vaccination on sheep and beef production Whole genome sequencing to better understand the strains we are dealing with
Key findings Vaccines are effective at preventing disease and reducing shedding The vaccination timing and programme is critical though for vaccine to be effective. - e.g. up to 30% of fully vaccinated dairy farms found to be shedding..likely due to nonoptimised vaccination programmes (timing!) Lepto widespread in beef, deer and sheep
Farmers Leptospirosis Action Group a RWNZ/Massey initiative The FLAG group launched - Rural Women New Zealand - Deer Farmers Association - Beef + Lamb New Zealand - Federated Farmers and - New Zealand Veterinary Association. Neville Haack, Jackie Benschop, Julie Collins-Emerson and Cord Heuer pictured for the FLAG launch. Aimed to gain a greater understanding of leptospirosis and its effect on the New Zealand agricultural industry.
Knowledge extension The generation of new knowledge and the propagation of knowledge through target communities makes FLAG a unique entity not only in NZ but worldwide. As a consequence Massey FLAG members have been invited to consult on outbreaks/ investigations internationally (Sri Lanka, Fiji, Nepal, Uruguay) and work with WHO.
DrNzsWw ;;System.W oxdwic8p www.leptospirosis.org.nz For anyone wanting to know about the disease for any reason: from those with a general interest to those with specific needs such as those in farming, rural industries, veterinary services, animal health companies and research.
Information dissemination By: - 45 media articles, including 24 at farmer/industry level - 21 scientific publications, were released during the 3-year project period - ~4,000 NZ farmers & 1,000 veterinarians and scientists in NZ and overseas in discussions through FLAG
Where to from here? On-going work: trying to establish FLAG-dairy to look at improving vaccination programmes to control lepto and reduce risk to humans in dairying Continuing with projects on wildlife reservoirs Improving diagnostics chronic lepto and the burden of the disease social/economic
Rural Women s unique contribution Apart from the huge financial support, RWNZ has offered a unique contribution which is... networking
RWNZ - getting the messages out there RWNZ provides a fantastic network of people who appreciate the impact leptospirosis has and who are able to disseminate information deep into the rural communities to those most at risk of leptospirosis. This applies not only to lepto but also other veterinary public health issues we have discussed with RWNZ such as 0157 E. coli.
;;System.W oxdwic8p Lepto DVD launch Know Lepto : a 7 chapter DVD will be available on the www.leptospirosis.org.nz website 1) What is leptospirosis. 2) Leptospirosis in people 3) Leptospirosis in livestock and pets 4) Environment and wildlife 5) How is leptospirosis diagnosed 6) Control, prevention and management of leptospirosis 7) Future perspectives
A taster Chapter 1: What is leptospirosis.
Massey University and Leptospirosis Represented by Julie Collins-Emerson and Peter Wilson Colleagues Prof Cord Heuer, Dr Jackie Benschop Prof Peter Wilson Students and staff Current/recent Earlier PhD & masters students