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Leptospirosis

Rural Women New Zealand's Leptospirosis 2007/08 fundraising campaign is gaining real traction with many RWNZ groups holding events to raise money for this important research.

We welcome recent news that the Department of Labour is calling for a co-ordinated approach to tackling Leptospirosis, which is New Zealand's most frequently occuring occupationally acquired infectious disease.

Rural Women New Zealand raised close to $200,000 during the 1970s and 1980s for research into this disease, leading to the publication of over 60 research papers by Massey University on leptospirosis in the dairy industry, resulting in a significant drop in the number of dairy farmers affected.

Now researchers want to reduce the incidence of the disease in sheep farming and the reduce the risks of infection for meat industry workers, now the single most affected group   RWNZ-raised funds will go towards this important research.

View the RWNZ Fact Sheet on Leptopsirosis.

View the Massey Powerpoint Presentation on Leptopsirosis from our National Conference in Roturua in May 2007

View our Leptospirosis Poster on identification and prevention