Agro-Environmental Determinants of Leptospirosis: A Retrospective Spatiotemporal Analysis (2004–2014) in Mahasarakham Province (Thailand)

Abstract

Leptospirosis has been recognized as a major public health concern in Thailand following dramatic outbreaks. We analyzed human leptospirosis incidence between 2004 and 2014 in Mahasarakham province, Northeastern Thailand, in order to identify the agronomical and environmental factors likely to explain incidence at the level of 133 sub-districts and 1,982 villages of the province. We performed general additive modeling (GAM) in order to take the spatial-temporal epidemiological dynamics into account. The results of GAM analyses showed that the average slope, population size, pig density, cow density and flood cover were significantly associated with leptospirosis occurrence in a district. Our results stress the importance of livestock favoring leptospirosis transmission to humans and suggest that prevention and control of leptospirosis need strong intersectoral collaboration between the public health, the livestock department and local communities. More specifically, such collaboration should integrate leptospirosis surveillance in both public and animal health for a better control of diseases in livestock while promoting public health prevention as encouraged by the One Health approach.

Leptospira Seroprevalence in Free-Ranging Long-Tailed Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) at Kosumpee Forest Park, Maha Sarakham, Thailand

“…Moreover, this infectious disease is considered endemic and a significant public health concern in Maha Sarakham province. In fact, between 2004 and 2014, Kosum Phisai district (where our study site was located) reported the second highest number of human cases in the province [ 27 ]. Thus, there may be a possibility that various animal species, including wild macaques, could play a potential role in leptospirosis animal reservoirs at this study site, as previous research suggested [ 27 ].…”

“…In fact, between 2004 and 2014, Kosum Phisai district (where our study site was located) reported the second highest number of human cases in the province [ 27 ]. Thus, there may be a possibility that various animal species, including wild macaques, could play a potential role in leptospirosis animal reservoirs at this study site, as previous research suggested [ 27 ]. It should be noted, however, that our results did not support a role of wild macaques in the transmission of the disease.…”

Evolution of Public Health Prevention of Leptospirosis in a One Health Perspective: The Example of Mahasarakham Province (Thailand)

“…Leptospirosis outbreak in Mahasarakham Province is still a health issue, although the leptospirosis prevention and control seemed to have gained from the enhanced collaboration between the Public Health Department, the Livestock Department and the Tambon Administration Organization following the prevention strategy of 2011 [ 30 ]. However, there is a lack of linkages between departments to ensure comprehensive disease prevention activities.…”

Synergising decision making and interventions across human health and environment: concepts for designing a model for infectious diseases

“…Mayfield et al, 2017;Sahin et al, 2013). Specific geospatial models, such as geographically weighted regression or Kriging, can be used where data are spatially correlated (Mayfield, 2018a;Viroj et al, 2021).…”