Sea lions off the coast in California are contracting a kidney disease that has arrived earlier than expected, raising concerns about transmission to humans and pets.
Newsweek has reached out to the Marine Mammal Center (MMC) for comment via email on Sunday.
Why It Matters
Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that attacks the kidneys, can cause severe illness or death in animals. Infected sea lions are often spotted drinking water, a rare behavior since they normally get hydration from food, signaling their kidneys are not functioning properly, according to the MMC.
It’s not rare for sea lions to contract it, often appearing in about four-year cycles. Humans and other animals can also contract it, with untreated cases leading to kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, trouble breathing, and death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
What To Know
Sea lions across California’s coast have contracted Leptospirosis in recent days, with at least 100 infected this month, per the MMC. According to ABC 7, the outbreak began along the California Central Coast and has appeared in more northern counties.
The disease most oftenspreads through urine of infected animals.
“This is a zoonotic disease. So, it can be spread to humans and dogs. We are especially concerned in this area of spread to your pet,” Giancarlo Rulli, associate director of public relations for the MMC, told ABC 7 on Friday.
The CDC estimates there are around 1 million annual Leptospirosis cases in humans around the world, resulting in about 60,000 deaths.
Sea lions diagnosed with leptospirosis are recommended to be treated with antibiotics. However, even with treatment, around two-thirds of them with acute leptospirosis do not survive, according to the MMC.
What People Are Saying
Giancarlo Rulli, associate director of public relations for the MMC, said on Friday: “To have basically very large outbreak with right now with no end in sight, beginning six-to-eight weeks plus earlier than what we are historically used to, is something that has our collective attention right now.”
The MMC wrote in an August 13 X post: “Since July, we’ve rescued an unprecedented number of sea lions suffering from #leptospirosis. This potentially deadly kidney infection can transmit easily between these animals and dog.”
What Happens Next?
The disease is expected to continue spreading among sea lions, with ongoing concern it could infecthumans or pets.
Health experts advise people taking their dogs and pets to the beach to keep them on leashes, to prevent them from getting too close to marine life.
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