#leptospirosis

#leptospirosis

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Health departments across California are sounding the alarm about a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be deadly in dogs if not treated. And in rare cases, it can spread to humans. It's called leptospirosis -- and it's actively spreading right now in the Bay Area and parts of the state, including Los Angeles. 7 On Your Side's Stephanie Sierra's dog, Bubba, contracted the disease and fought it for weeks.

The sea lion weighed about 200 pounds and appeared to be in poor condition, said Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. It was reactive and registered the volunteers' presence but was lethargic. The volunteers worked together to corral the animal into a large metal box as a crowd of beachgoers formed to watch the rescue in progress. The crowd applauded once the sea lion was safely secured in the box and the volunteers carried it up the beach.

Leptospirosis, a kidney disease caused by the spiral-shaped bacteria Leptospira, is identifiable by symptoms like unusual drinking behavior in California sea lions.

Councilor Erin Murphy expressed concern over the findings from Tufts University, emphasizing that leptospirosis poses a serious risk to various vulnerable groups, including those living on the street and sanitation workers.