Climate change and leptospirosis: a growing environmental and zoonotic threat

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a key driver in the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, including leptospirosis, a globally distributed bacterial zoonosis. The bacterial agents of leptospirosis infect humans through contact with soil or water contaminated by the urine of animal reservoirs. As a primarily waterborne disease, leptospirosis is strongly influenced by climatic conditions, including rainfall, flooding, and extreme events such as hurricanes and cyclones. Here, we present current knowledge on the links between climate change and leptospirosis, as well as perspectives on effective strategies to combat this disease, which disproportionately affects the poorest populations.