September 13, 2000

WHAT:

An Alabama physician has helped pinpoint an outbreak of an uncommon disease among a group of elite athletes participating in this year's EcoChallenge Sabah 2000 Expedition race recently held in Malaysian Borneo. Over the weekend, three GeoSentinel sites in London, New York and Toronto have independently reported infection of leptospirosis among at least 9 racers; at least 15 other racers, including all 4 members of the winning U.S. team, have reported similar illnesses.

WHO:

Dr. David Freedman, director of GeoSentinel and director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham's Travelers Health Clinic. GeoSentinel is the global surveillance network of the International Society of Travel Medicine with 26 sites dispersed throughout the world. To interview Dr. Freedman, call Tracy Bischoff, UAB Media Relations, (205) 934-8935, tracy@uab.edu.

THE RACE:

The high-profile annual EcoChallenge Adventure race attracted 78 4-person teams from 22 countries with 44 teams racing around the clock this year. The race was held from August 20 to September 3, with the winning team finishing the race in 6 days. The course included jungle trekking, canoeing, sea paddling, canyoneering, scuba diving, mountain biking and caving.

THE DISEASE:

Leptospirosis is caused by a bacterium and is usually transmitted to humans through water contaminated with urine from infected animals. Symptoms include fever, chills, red eyes, abdominal discomfort, vomiting and diarrhea. In rare instances, severe disease can result in damage to the liver, kidneys and lungs.

THE VERDICT:

Dr. Freedman and the Centers for Disease Control are recommending that all participants in the EcoChallenge Sabah 2000 Expedition Race contact their health care provider about treatment with appropriate antibiotics.