Meta-analysis maps human and canine leptospirosis risk in China

A new systematic review and meta-analysis in Preventive Veterinary Medicine pulls together the clearest national picture yet of human and canine leptospirosis in China. The review, published in June 2026, included 109 studies from 29 provinces, covering 111,542 human samples and 8,875 dog samples. The authors reported pooled prevalence estimates of 25% in humans and 12% in dogs, and found that human infection risk varied by region, age, occupation, and rural residence. The paper frames leptospirosis as a continuing One Health challenge, despite years of declining reported incidence in China. (sciencedirect.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the study reinforces that dogs remain part of the leptospirosis risk landscape, even where disease may feel underrecognized in daily practice. That matters for differential diagnosis, client education, biosafety, and prevention planning, especially in areas with warm, wet conditions or likely wildlife and rodent exposure. U.S. CDC guidance notes that almost every dog is at risk of leptospirosis, and the China review’s findings add to the broader case for coordinated animal, human, and environmental surveillance rather than siloed monitoring. (cdc.gov)

What to watch: Watch for follow-on work that breaks risk down by province, serogroup, testing method, and vaccination strategy, because those details will matter most for surveillance and control planning. (sciencedirect.com)