Outbreak of Leptospirosis after a Race in the Tropical Forest of Martinique

Many wild and domestic animals serve as reservoirs for pathogenic Leptospira strains and contaminate the environment by shedding the organisms in their urine. Humans are usually infected through abraded skin or mucous membrane contact with water contaminated by the urine of animal reservoirs, and less frequently by direct contact with animals or their urine. The mean incubation period is 10 days, with a usual range of 2–20 days. 1 Clinical manifestations are protean and the spectrum of symptoms range from subclinical or mild anicteric febrile illness to acute renal failure. Weil’s disease and respiratory distress syndrome are associated with high mortality. 1 Over the preceding decades, ecotourism and sporting events in tropical and sub-tropical areas have become more popular among travelers and athletes. These recreational activities in tropical areas have served to increase the risk of human exposure to these pathogens and consequently outbreaks of leptospirosis have been reported in these settings. 3, 4