Human Leptospirosis Acquired from Squirrels

IN the United States leptospirosis is widely distributed in the animal population, which serves as a direct or indirect source of infection for man. Leptospirosis is a major disease problem in cattle and swine. It is also found in dogs, but occurrence in other domestic animals is infrequent. There is evidence of widespread infection in the wild-animal population. According to Roth,1 17 leptospiral serotypes and subserotypes have been isolated from 22 species of wild animals. Recently, leptospires were isolated from a frog in Iowa.2 Of the 22 pathogenic serotypes or subserotypes reported in the continental United States, cultural or serologic . . .