Leptospirosis remains a One Health surveillance gap in China
Leptospirosis remains a One Health surveillance gap in China, review finds
A new systematic review and meta-analysis in Preventive Veterinary Medicine pulls together epidemiologic evidence on pathogenic Leptospira infection in both people and dogs in China, arguing that leptospirosis still carries a meaningful zoonotic burden despite relatively low reported human incidence nationally. The paper reviewed studies from six databases through November 11, 2025, and found moderate pooled prevalence in humans and dogs, with substantial variation by geography, host factors, and study methods. The authors position the findings as a practical baseline for One Health-oriented surveillance and prevention planning in China, where leptospirosis is a notifiable Category B infectious disease and human cases have been reported across most provincial-level regions. (sciencedirect.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the review is a reminder that canine leptospirosis is not just an individual patient issue. Dogs can serve as sentinels of environmental exposure, especially in settings with rodent pressure, standing water, free-roaming dog populations, or closer human-animal-environment contact. That matters in China’s southern endemic areas in particular: separate surveillance data show human leptospirosis in China remained concentrated in southern provinces from 2010 to 2022, with seasonal peaks between August and October, while a broader 2010 to 2023 analysis found overall incidence declined but ticked back up modestly by 2023. For clinics, that supports risk-based vaccination discussions, stronger differential diagnosis for acute kidney and hepatic presentations, and closer coordination with public health when exposure risk extends to pet parents or staff. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
What to watch: Watch for the full paper’s detailed subgroup findings on canine versus human prevalence, geography, and risk factors, because those are likely to shape where Chinese surveillance and prevention efforts tighten next. (sciencedirect.com)