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PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(7 April 2025)

Question Asked

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of (a) the number of cases of leptospirosis and (b) the epidemiology of those cases.

Asked by:
Dr Caroline Johnson (Conservative)

Answer

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) undertakes routine surveillance for leptospirosis infections in humans and publishes a quarterly report on the common animal-associated infections, with further information available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/common-animal-associated-infections-2024/common-animal-associated-infections-england-second-quarter-2024#leptospirosis

The following table shows the most recent figures of confirmed cases of leptospirosis in each quarter, from quarter one of 2023 to quarter two of 2024:

Quarter

2023

2024

Quarter one

5

15

Quarter two

8

15

Quarter three

34

N/A

Quarter four

23

N/A

Total

70

N/A

Leptospirosis cases in England show seasonality, with more cases reported in summer and autumn. Many cases diagnosed in England report exposure to potentially contaminated water or direct contact with rodents as the probable source of infection. Reported infections are most common in adult men, likely due to occupational and recreational exposures. However, infection can occur in anyone directly exposed to urine or urine-contaminated environments, regardless of age or sex.


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