The annual commemoration of World Zoonoses Day on July 6 serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of animal-borne diseases. This day also marks the 140th anniversary of Louis Pasteur's first administration of the human post-exposure rabies vaccine. Zoonoses, as defined by organizations like the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, are diseases transmitted from animals to humans. While ANIMALS 24-7 has reported on various zoonotic diseases for decades, the impetus for this particular coverage arose from a very personal experience, starting with a rescued rooster named Henry.

In mid-winter 2024, a young rooster, later named Henry, was found abandoned at Rhododendron Park in Washington. Henry proved to be remarkably clever, remaining silent in the presence of people and potential predators like coyotes and eagles. After weeks of feeding him, Henry, recognizing the sound of the author's electric Tesla, eventually jumped into the car and became a cherished pet. As Henry grew, the decision was made to find him a companion, leading to the adoption of Arabella, a beautiful speckled Sussex hen. Their relationship blossomed, but Henry's protective instincts towards Arabella led to an incident where he inflicted a painful peck on the author's hand, necessitating the use of a squirt bottle to establish boundaries.

A significant challenge of keeping chickens, as the author discovered, is the inevitable attraction of rats due to spilled feed. While the author generally holds a positive view of rats as "cute, clever, personable, friendly critters," their inability to store excrement or urine makes them significant vectors for disease, posing a constant challenge to maintaining a clean environment. The family's last remaining cat, Sebastian, though a skilled rat hunter, unfortunately preferred to bring live rats into the house rather than harm them. This led to a marked increase in rat encounters and removals, many of which were docile, but one instance in late spring 2025 resulted in a panicked rat bite.

Despite diligent hygiene practices around Henry and Arabella, including wearing gloves, washing hands, and removing vet tech clogs before entering the house, the presence of rats and their contaminating excretions remained a concern. In late May 2025, the author experienced a severe, debilitating illness characterized by extreme exhaustion, a raging headache, and violent alternating chills and fever. The illness quickly escalated, surpassing the severity of previous experiences like Covid, rendering the author unable to care for the chickens or even consume basic sustenance.

The severity of the symptoms prompted a hospital visit, where initial concerns about admission criteria were overcome by alarming blood test results showing a critically low red blood cell count. Admitted to Whidbey General Hospital, the author received intravenous antibiotics, fluids, and pain relief. While rat bite fever was considered, a doctor with tropical experience suspected leptospirosis, a rare disease in the U.S. and particularly in Washington state. The possibility of leukemia was ruled out due to the rapid onset of symptoms. The author was then transferred to Providence Hospital in Everett for more advanced diagnosis and treatment, where mild jaundice developed, and blood tests continued to show a low red cell count. During their stay, the author and Merritt witnessed a distressing attempted suicide from a hospital window, highlighting the broader human struggles occurring alongside their own.

At Providence, the diagnosis was confirmed as Weil’s syndrome leptospirosis, the most severe form of the disease. Despite its gravity, the author's condition improved daily. After four nights, discharge followed, accompanied by a lengthy course of antibiotics and warnings of a slow and tiring recovery period. True to the warnings, complete recovery is expected to take months, yet the author has resumed daily chores, dog walks, and cherishes the life they provide for Henry and Arabella, who are thriving. As a direct consequence of this experience, Teddy, the family dog, was promptly vaccinated against leptospirosis, recognizing that while rare, the presence of the disease in their environment was undeniable.

Leptospirosis, as explained by Federico Costa of the Yale School of Public Health, is a zoonotic bacterial disease primarily affecting vulnerable populations. It is a life-threatening condition and a significant cause of pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome, often leading to mortality rates that can approach or exceed those of other hemorrhagic fevers. Costa further warns that leptospirosis is an emerging health threat, exacerbated by globalization and climate change, with disasters and extreme weather events precipitating epidemics as the spirochetes spread through contaminated water. Case fatality rates for pulmonary hemorrhage syndrome and Weil's disease are reported at over 10% and 70% respectively. The disease is frequently misdiagnosed as malaria, dengue, or other acute febrile illnesses, underscoring the critical need for awareness and accurate diagnosis. The author's first-hand account serves as a potent testament to the serious threat posed by leptospirosis, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing this often-overlooked zoonotic danger.