The Leptospirosis Information Center

Welcome to the LIC website

The Leptospirosis Information Center is an independent and impartial service providing information and advice about human leptospirosis and Weil's disease. We are the oldest online advice service for this infection and operate without commercial sponsorship or political bias - the information available on this website is entirely free. The LIC primarily deals with human infection and public health, although there is also some veterinary information for those owning or working with animals.

Please choose a topic from the menu to the left. Topics will expand as you navigate.

The LIC provides specific advice, both on this site and via email, to government agencies, military and civilian medical staff, public health and hygiene professionals and of course members of the public who may be concerned about preventing, contracting or treating the disease. Our site has recently expanded to cover far more topics and frequently-asked questions, but if you have a query we have not covered, please contact us for advice.

What is leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis, also known as canicola fever, hemorrhagic jaundice, infectious jaundice, mud fever, spirochetal jaundice, swamp fever, swineherd's disease, caver's flu or sewerman's flu, is a bacterial infection resulting from exposure to the Leptospira interrogans bacterium. There is an acute form of human infection known as Weil's disease, where the patient suffers from jaundice, though this term is often (incorrectly) used to describe any case of infection. Weil's disease is comparatively rare, though 'mild' cases of leptospirosis happen everywhere there are carriers, and it is believed that leptospirosis is one of the most common zoonotic infections in the world. Millions of people are infected each year, but information and treatment can be limited, especially in the developed world where cases are considered 'rare' by the medical community. The goal of the LIC and this website is to increase awareness of the infection and how to manage the risks, with clear advice and guidance for all aspects of work and leisure.