I hadn't even heard of leptospirosis and just did a quick read. It is present in animal populations, infecting small numbers at a time. It seems to more common in tropical areas, but with the modern world's convergent paths, it has spread. There have now been human cases reported in Massachusetts. Oh, happy days!

As I said, I just did a quick read. Leptospires are spirochetes, not a viruses, in case anyone really cares. I think in my 40+ year old textbooks, they may have been written up as not bacteria, Maybe because of the flagella, like protozoans have. I see they are classified as a spiral bacteria. Besides Leptospirosis, spirochetes are responsible for Lyme disease and Syphillus. Yea!

I think I am going to continue to treat water collected along the trail...

CM