摘要：The World Health Organization/Food and Agricultural Organization Collaborating Centre for Reference andResearch on Leptospirosis, Western Pacific Region, accredited since 1958, is part of Queensland Health ScientificServices, which provide tertiary level support in epidemiology, surveillance, training and diagnosis for hospitalsand pathology laboratories across the State. Databases for leptospirosis on a global, Australian and State-widebasis are maintained on site and support public health authorities in Australia, WHO and the Intern ationalLeptospirosis Society. Queensland data collated and analysed from leptospirosis questionnaires, and a briefoverview of Australian data based on questionnaire responses for notified cases from 1998 to June 1999, aresummarised. The increase in leptospirosis notifications (77%) during 1998 possibly signalled greater awareness ofthe disease by clinicians. There was a significant increase in leptospirosis notifications for chil dren and students and a high rate of hospitalisation of cases. An outbreak in North Queensland during the first half of 1999 resulted in184 notifications with over 50% of cases hospitalised. Polymorphic presentation of the disease with severepulmonary haemorrhage is associated in particular with the serovar australis. Serovar zanoni contin ues to be amajor cause of severe clinical leptospirosis. Several cases were diagnosed in tourists. One of these cases presentedwith severe respiratory distress and required 14 days in hospital
