Red swamp crayfish collecting: a risk activity for leptospirosis.

Abstract

Leptospirosis , commonly known as ‘ rat fever ’, is a worldwide zoonotic illness caused by the Leptospira genus [1,2]. Isla Mayor is a municipality in Seville, Spain , with a total population of 5911 inhabitants; it is surrounded by over 24 000 hectares of rice fields. It forms part of the Doñana National Park ecosystem , an area protected for its biodiversity , where no chemical substances may be used which might harm this natural environment . An increase in the rat population associated with the richness of the ecosystem and limitations on the use of biocides have made Isla Mayor a perfect breeding ground for Leptospira infection among wetland workers , especially rice labourers and collectors of red swamp crayfish ( Procambarus clarkii).