Potential risk factors for leptospirosis in pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers in Portoviejo, Manabí, Ecuador

Abstract

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with epidemic potential. It is emerging as a public health problem, in tropical and subtropical countries, affecting populations that are more vulnerable. The disease affects different risk groups such as fishermen, mine and drain workers, garbage collectors, personnel working in rice fields and slaughterhouse workers. The objective of the work was to identify potential risk factors for porcine leptospirosis as zoonosis in pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers from the Portoviejo canton, Manabí, Ecuador. A descriptive observational analysis of the influence of climatic variables on the occurrence of human leptospirosis was carried out in the period from January 2014 to December 2017. An epidemiological survey was applied to assess knowledge about the disease and identify potential factors risk in pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers. Human leptospirosis showed a higher occurrence in the rainy season and there was a positive correlation between the occurrence of cases and the climatic parameters, mean temperature and maximum relative humidity. The potential risk factors identified constitute a significant danger alert for pig farmers and slaughterhouse workers exposed to animal reservoirs or environments contaminated with Leptospira.

Keywords

• sanitary gaps
• rice field disease
• zoonosis