LEPTOSPIROSIS IN MAN, ISRAEL, 1970–1979

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Abstract
In 1970–1979, the incidence of human leptospirosis in Israel was 0.7 per 100,000 population. The majority of the cases (62%) occurred in northeastern Israel (Upper Gaillee). Prior to 1973 the main infecting serotypes were grip potyphosa (41%) and Hebdomadis szwajizak (31%). Following the first out break of Hebdomadis hardjo infection in 1973, a change occurred in the epidemiologic pattern of human leptospirosis, with hardjo becoming the most common serotype (59%). Hardjo infection outbreaks were sporadic and localized to dairy farms. The peak of incidence was during the summer months, June–September. All the patients with hardjo were dairy workers. The illness was relatively mild and mostly unicteric. Cattle seemed to be the principal source of hardjo infection for man.