Epidemiology of canicola fever

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Abstract
The results of an investigation into the incidence of canicola fever amongst owners of dogs infected with L. canicola is described.Visits were made to forty-six households in which infected dogs lived. Altogether 137 household contacts were examined and blood samples from 99 or 72·3 % were tested for agglutination against L. canicola. All the sera proved negative.A detailed classification of the kinds and conditions of housing and of householders is given.Some of the difficulties in explaining the relationship between the disease in dogs and man are discussed; the results of the present survey and the experience with some reported cases of human canicola fever show that there is great variation in the risk of infection to owners and others hving in the same house with diseased dogs.Some other source of infection common to man and dog is possible.It is recommended that in the light of present knowledge greater attention should be paid to the preventive aspect and that more propaganda should be directed to make dog owners aware of the possibilities of infection and of the importance of observing hygienic principles when handling dogs and particularly when dealing with dejecta.