The objectives of these investigations are to identify additional cases, to determine the etiology of illness among athletes who participated in triathlons in both Illinois and Wisconsin, to identify the source and mode of transmission, and to develop prevention and control measures. Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, Atlanta, Georgia. Because the signs and symptoms of leptospirosis are nonspecific, the case definition was purposefully broad and, as a result, may be detecting illness attributable to other causes. Although current epidemiologic data suggest that an environmental exposure probably occurred in the Illinois triathlon, additional laboratory and epidemiologic investigations are needed to exclude illness attributable to more than one exposure. As a precautionary measure, the city of Springfield and the Illinois Department of Public Health have issued an advisory not to swim, water-ski, or use personal watercraft at the site on the lake where the Illinois triathlon was held.
Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis that is endemic in most temperate and tropical climates.
Leptospires may enter the body through cut or abraded skin, mucous membranes, and conjunctivae. Muscle pain, often severe, is most notable in the calf and lumbar areas. Skin rashes may occur. The organism may be isolated from samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid obtained during the first 10 days of illness, and in the urine following the first week of illness. Zaki SR, Shieh W-J, and the Epidemic Working Group.