Death occurs rarely. This disease may be confused with others and must be confirmed by laboratory testing, available through the State Laboratory for Public Health. Humans can be infected through contact with water, food or soil containing animal urine or tissue. Swallowing flood water or exposure to mucosal surfaces such as eyes, nose or skin may also produce illness. If infected, a person can become sick between 2 days and 4 weeks.
Treatment is important to prevent more serious illness and a more lengthy recovery.
Risk for this disease will be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in flood waters. It is also helpful to wear protective clothing or footwear and gloves when possible. All incidence of disease should be reported to the local health department for follow-up. While this is a sensitive issue, unearthed caskets and embalmed bodies do not pose a public health risk. Caskets should be retrieved and secured until they can be identified.