Leptospirosis in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that spreads from animals to humans. It is caused by bacteria in the Leptospira family. While it is more common in tropical and subtropical climates, cases can and do occur in Michigan, including the Grand Rapids area, especially after heavy rain, snowmelt, or flooding.

In West Michigan, people may be exposed through contaminated surface water, soil, or direct contact with infected animals—particularly in rural areas, farms, and around rodents.

What Is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to humans. The bacteria are shed in the urine of infected animals. Humans become infected when the bacteria enter the body through:

  • Cuts or abrasions in the skin
  • Mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth)
  • Swallowing contaminated water or food
  • Inhaling droplets or aerosols from contaminated urine or water

Local Relevance in Grand Rapids

In the Grand Rapids and greater Kent County area, potential exposure can occur:

  • On dairy and beef farms in West Michigan
  • In agricultural settings around livestock and manure
  • In areas with rodent activity (rats and mice) in older neighborhoods or near food storage
  • During outdoor recreation in lakes, rivers, and wetlands—especially after heavy rain or flooding from the Grand River or local streams

Cold Michigan winters can reduce bacterial survival outdoors, but late spring, summer, and early fall—when outdoor work and recreation increase and rainfall is more frequent—are higher-risk times.

What Are the Symptoms of Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis symptoms can range from very mild to life-threatening. Many people have flu-like symptoms that may be mistaken for other illnesses common in Michigan, such as influenza or COVID-19.

Common Early Symptoms

Symptoms usually start about 7–10 days after exposure, but they can begin as early as 2 days or as late as 29 days. Early symptoms may include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Headache
  • Muscle aches (often in the calves and lower back)
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Red or irritated eyes
  • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Sore throat
  • Cough

These symptoms may last from a few days up to three weeks.

Severe Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease)

About 5–15% of infected people develop severe disease and may need hospital care at facilities such as Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health.

Severe symptoms can include:

  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
  • Severe headache and confusion
  • Shortness of breath or chest pain
  • Coughing up blood
  • Very dark urine or reduced urine output
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • High fever that does not improve
  • Bleeding (nosebleeds, bruising, or internal bleeding)

Severe leptospirosis can cause:

  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain and spinal cord)
  • Lung hemorrhage and respiratory failure

Without prompt treatment, severe leptospirosis can be fatal.

Where Does Leptospirosis Come From?

Many mammals can carry Leptospira bacteria without appearing sick. In Michigan and the Grand Rapids region, common carriers include:

  • Livestock: cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, deer
  • Pets: dogs (especially unvaccinated or outdoor dogs), occasionally horses and cats
  • Wildlife: raccoons, skunks, opossums, and other small mammals
  • Rodents: rats and mice (including those around barns, older buildings, and food storage areas)

Environmental Sources

The bacteria can survive for weeks to months in:

  • Soil and mud
  • Puddles and ditches
  • Lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers
  • Wet, marshy, or swampy areas

They survive best in:

  • Warm, humid conditions
  • Stagnant or slow-moving water
  • Moist, alkaline soil

In West Michigan, risk may increase:

  • After heavy rain, spring thaw, or flooding of fields and low-lying areas
  • In areas with poor drainage or standing water
  • Around farms where livestock or rodents have access to water sources

How Does Leptospirosis Spread?

Leptospirosis spreads to humans through direct or indirect contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

Direct Contact

Humans can be infected through:

  • Contact with urine from infected animals
  • Contact with reproductive fluids (vaginal discharge, placenta, aborted fetuses)
  • Contact with milk from infected animals (primarily occupational exposure)

Indirect Contact

Indirect exposure happens when a person:

  • Walks or wades in contaminated water with open cuts or abrasions
  • Handles wet soil, mud, or animal bedding contaminated with urine
  • Swallows water from contaminated lakes, ponds, or rivers
  • Eats food handled with unwashed, contaminated hands

Inhalation

Less commonly, people can become infected by inhaling:

  • Aerosolized droplets from urine (for example, power-washing contaminated surfaces, or being near high-pressure spraying in barns)
  • Fine mist from contaminated water

Person-to-Person Transmission

Person-to-person spread is rare but has been documented through:

  • Sexual contact
  • Breastfeeding (if the mother is acutely infected)

Most cases in Michigan are related to environmental or occupational exposure, not household transmission.

Who Is at Risk in Grand Rapids?

Anyone exposed to contaminated water, soil, or animals can get leptospirosis. However, certain jobs and activities in West Michigan carry higher risk.

Higher-Risk Occupations

  • Dairy and beef farmers
  • Livestock handlers and farm workers
  • Veterinarians and veterinary technicians
  • Abattoir (slaughterhouse) workers
  • Sewer and sanitation workers
  • Pest control professionals
  • Wildlife and animal control workers

Higher-Risk Activities

  • Working on or visiting farms with cattle, pigs, or other livestock
  • Camping, hiking, or gardening in wet or muddy areas
  • Swimming, kayaking, canoeing, or white-water rafting in rivers and lakes—especially after heavy rain
  • Fishing or hunting in wetlands or marshy areas
  • Cleaning barns, sheds, or garages with rodent infestations
  • Handling dogs that may have been exposed (especially hunting or farm dogs)

If you live in or near Grand Rapids and work in agriculture or outdoor trades, you should be aware of leptospirosis, especially during warm, wet months.

How Is Leptospirosis Diagnosed?

Leptospirosis is usually diagnosed with blood tests. Because early symptoms resemble many other infections common in Michigan (like flu, COVID-19, or other viral illnesses), it is important to tell your healthcare provider about:

  • Recent farm or animal contact
  • Exposure to floodwater, ponds, or rivers
  • Travel to tropical or subtropical areas

Testing

  • A blood test can detect antibodies or the bacteria itself.
  • Often two blood samples, taken at least 2 weeks apart, are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
  • In severe cases, urine or spinal fluid may also be tested.

If you are in the Grand Rapids area, your primary care provider, urgent care, or local hospital (Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health) can order these tests. The Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health may also be involved in tracking and managing confirmed cases.

Treatment for Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics. Early treatment is important to reduce the risk of severe disease.

Standard Treatment

  • Antibiotics (such as doxycycline or penicillin) are typically prescribed by a healthcare provider.
  • Treatment should begin as soon as leptospirosis is suspected—do not wait for test results if your doctor is strongly concerned.
  • Severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous (IV) antibiotics, fluids, and organ support.

There is no human vaccine for leptospirosis currently available in the United States.

If you live in or near Grand Rapids and have symptoms after possible exposure, contact your doctor or visit an urgent care or emergency department as soon as possible.

How to Prevent Leptospirosis in Grand Rapids

Prevention focuses on reducing contact with contaminated water, soil, and animals, and controlling rodents.

General Prevention Tips

  • Avoid contact with possibly contaminated water

    • Do not swim or wade in water that may be contaminated by animal urine, especially after heavy rain or flooding.
    • Avoid swallowing water from lakes, ponds, or rivers in West Michigan.

  • Wear appropriate footwear

    • Wear waterproof boots when walking in mud, moist soil, farm fields, or flood-affected areas.

  • Protect cuts and wounds

    • Cover any cuts, scrapes, or abrasions with waterproof dressings if contact with soil, water, or animals is likely.
    • Shower and clean skin thoroughly after outdoor work or recreation.

  • Control rodents

    • Keep garbage in sealed containers.
    • Remove food sources around homes, barns, and garages.
    • Seal holes and cracks where rodents can enter.
    • Use traps or professional pest control if needed.

Use Gloves When Gardening

  • Wear waterproof gloves when:
    • Gardening in wet soil
    • Handling compost, mulch, or manure
    • Cleaning sheds, garages, or areas where rodents may be present

Wash Hands Thoroughly

  • Wash hands with soap and clean water:
    • Before eating or preparing food
    • After handling animals or animal waste
    • After gardening, farming, or outdoor activities
    • After contact with standing water or mud

Avoid Feeding Raw Offal to Dogs

  • Do not feed raw offal (organs) or uninspected raw meat to dogs.
  • This can reduce the risk of dogs becoming infected and spreading the bacteria.

Prevention for Livestock Owners and Animal Workers

For farmers, veterinarians, and others working with animals in the Grand Rapids region, additional precautions are important.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

When working with potentially infected animals or high-risk materials (urine, birth fluids, placentas):

  • Wear:

    • Waterproof gloves
    • Protective overalls or coveralls
    • Boots
    • Face mask or face shield if splashing is possible

  • Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after work.

  • Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in animal housing areas.

Vaccination of Animals

While there is no human vaccine, vaccines are available for animals, including:

  • Cattle
  • Pigs
  • Dogs

Key points:

  • Vaccination can prevent disease in animals and may reduce shedding of some Leptospira strains.
  • Not all vaccines prevent all strains or completely stop bacterial shedding.
  • Work with your veterinarian to:
    • Choose the most appropriate vaccine for your herd or pets
    • Establish a regular vaccination schedule
    • Review your farm’s overall biosecurity plan

Farm and Workplace Hygiene

  • Keep animal housing clean and dry where possible.

  • Improve drainage to reduce standing water around barns and pastures.

  • Use fencing to:

    • Prevent livestock from accessing potentially contaminated surface water
    • Limit contact with neighboring livestock and wildlife

  • Implement rodent control programs in barns, feed storage, and milking parlors.

  • Use splash guards or barriers in work areas where urine or fluids may spray.

  • Purchase animals from reputable sources with known leptospirosis status when possible.

A veterinarian familiar with West Michigan livestock operations can help design a biosecurity plan tailored to your farm.

When to Seek Medical Help in Grand Rapids

Contact a healthcare provider right away if you:

  • Develop flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle aches, headache) and
  • Have recently:
    • Worked with livestock or visited a farm
    • Been exposed to floodwater or stagnant water
    • Swum or waded in local lakes, ponds, or rivers
    • Had contact with rodents or their urine/droppings

Local Resources

  • Your primary care provider or local urgent care clinic

  • Emergency departments at:

    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health

  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health

    • Can provide guidance on infectious diseases and local outbreaks.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms—such as difficulty breathing, confusion, chest pain, or signs of jaundice—call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.

Key Points About Leptospirosis in Grand Rapids

  • Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that spreads from animals to humans.
  • The most common sources of infection are contact with the urine of infected animals and contaminated soil or water.
  • It occurs worldwide and is more common in warm, rainy regions, but cases also occur in Michigan, especially with farm and outdoor exposures.
  • Symptoms range from mild flu-like illness to severe, life-threatening disease affecting the kidneys, liver, lungs, and brain.
  • About 5–15% of infected people may develop severe symptoms requiring hospital care.
  • Early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are critical.
  • Prevention in the Grand Rapids area focuses on:
    • Avoiding contact with potentially contaminated water
    • Using protective clothing and good hygiene
    • Controlling rodents
    • Vaccinating livestock and dogs

If you live or work in the Grand Rapids, MI area and think you may have been exposed to leptospirosis, contact your doctor or a local healthcare provider as soon as possible.