Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium and is usually transmitted to humans through water contaminated with urine from infected animals. It may take as long as one month for symptoms of illness to develop among persons infected with the bacterium responsible for leptospirosis. The most common symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, chills, red eyes, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, and diarrhea. In rare instances, severe disease can result in damage to the liver, kidneys, and lungs.
Antibiotics are useful in prevention and treatment of leptospirosis.
If you were a participant in the Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 Expedition Race, CDC recommends that you contact your health care provider about treatment with appropriate antibiotics. If you were a participant in the Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 Expedition Race and you are not currently ill, CDC recommends that you see your health care provider to discuss your possible exposure to the bacterium that causes leptospirosis. A single 200-mg oral dose of doxycycline may be useful in prevention of leptospirosis if you have not already taken this medicine since the race. Infectious agents other than the bacterium that causes leptospirosis should be considered in the examination of ill persons who participated in the Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 Expedition Race.