Health care providers are asked to report suspect cases to their county health department. Symptoms include fever, neck ache, chills, and fatigue, and typically appear four to 19 days after exposure. Leptospirosis can only be diagnosed by a blood test, and the State Department of Health laboratory can assist physicians with diagnosis. Leptospirosis can be effectively treated with antibiotics. Leptospirosis can be prevented through good sanitation.
Efforts are already in place to reduce the rodent population.
People who are working with rodents should wear gloves. If residents have detected mice in their homes, they are advised to keep foods in closed containers, and to wash dishes as soon as possible and put them away. They are also advised to be cautious when disposing of mousetraps, especially if they have broken skin on their hands. While the eradication effort is underway, Crawford said he will instruct scientists in his office to work with scientists in other state, local and federal agencies, water management districts and universities around Florida to determine the cause of the exploding mouse population in the Lake Apopka area as well as the best way to attack the problem and prevent occurrence in the future. Crawford, who unveiled the plan of attack at a press conference in Central Florida, was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to spearhead statewide efforts to go in and help local officials in eliminating the problem.