What We Do
Leptospirosis is a disease that can lead to potentially serious complications and has a particularly high incidence in the overseas departments. This disease therefore poses a public health challenge.
Epidemiological Surveillance of Leptospirosis
Since August 2023, the leptospirosis surveillance system has been based on mandatory reporting. Prior to that date, leptospirosis surveillance relied on data from the National Reference Center (CNR) for Leptospirosis, part of the Spirochete Biology Unit at the Pasteur Institute (IP) in Paris (CNR Leptospirosis), and its network of laboratories in mainland France and the overseas territories. Specific surveillance systems were established at the local level in the overseas territories.
Mandatory reporting
Mandatory reporting involves collecting as comprehensive information as possible regarding all cases of certain diseases known as “notifiable diseases” from biologists and physicians. It is carried out in two successive stages: reporting and notification.
Any case of leptospirosis, confirmed by laboratory testing, must be reported to the surveillance and alert unit of the Regional Health Agency using the mandatory reporting form.
Reporting criteria:
clinical signs suggestive of leptospirosis AND
at least one of the following laboratory criteria: positive RT-PCR OR positive IgM ELISA OR positive MAT test OR seroconversion OR a fourfold increase in IgM levels between two samples taken at least 1 to 3 weeks apart.
All information regarding the disease and reporting criteria is available in the awareness sheet.
The National Reference Center for Leptospirosis can always be contacted for laboratory confirmation. For each request for laboratory confirmation, the National Reference Center asks the prescribing physician to complete and return an information form to collect clinical, laboratory, and risk exposure data.
Contact Information National Reference Center for Leptospirosis
National Reference Center for Leptospirosis
Institut Pasteur
Contact: Dr. Mathieu PICARDEAU
Tel.: 01 45 68 83 68
Email: mathieu.picardeau@pasteur.fr
Address:
Institut Pasteur Spirochete Biology Unit 25-28, rue du Docteur Roux - 75724 Paris Cedex 15
Secretariat: 01 45 68 83 37 - Email: spiroc@pasteur.fr
Preventive measures against leptospirosis
Prevention measures rely on collective control measures, including rodent control, management of animal populations in rural areas, control of effluents from industrial livestock farms, drainage of flooded areas, and general waste management.
Leptospirosis prevention also relies on individual protective measures against contamination from animal urine.
Santé publique France helps promote vaccination through various tools (website, promotional campaigns, brochures, etc.). We have created an informational website on the different vaccines available in France to provide reliable, scientifically validated answers to questions the public and healthcare professionals may have on the subject.
A section dedicated to leptospirosis vaccination is available in two sections—one aimed at the general public and the other at healthcare professionals—to better support them in their practice.
Vaccination of at-risk groups in no way exempts the public from the systematic implementation of protective measures.
In relation to
Vaccination
thematic dossier
Contagious diseases most often affect children at a very young age. Because children are particularly vulnerable, they are a priority target for vaccination programs.
