High incidences of leptospirosis-induced abortions in Central Kentucky horses could be caused by a tandem effect of temperature and precipitation in certain years, said Capt. David Hall of the U.S. Air Force, who defended his Masters thesis on the subject at the University of Kentucky’s Gluck Equine Research Center in Lexington on Dec. 15.

Leptospirosis is one of the most widespread zoonoses in the world. The bacteria cause flu-like symptoms in humans, and in horses can cause severe uveitis (moon blindness) and abortion. The disease is thought to be contracted through ingestion of contaminated soil or feedstuffs or through cuts and abrasions