Description of the situation
15 September 2000
Disease Outbreak Reported
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have reported preliminary findings of 37 cases of acute febrile illness. Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache and myalgia. Twelve cases have been hospitalized and specimens from 2 of these have tested positive for leptospirosis.
The cases were in a group of 155 United States-based athletes who participated in the Eco-Challenge Sabah 2000 Expedition Race held during 20 August to 3 September in Sarawak, Malaysia. Also participating were 39 four-person teams from more than 20 other countries.
CDC has issued an advisory about the suspected leptospirosis outbreak associated with this event to alert United States-based participants and health care workers. WHO is working with the relevant national authorities to notify the other participants.
For more information, see the CDC web site.