Photo: RNZ
A big spike in cases of leptospirosis in flooded areas is concerning health officials, rural people and vets.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection shed in the urine of infected animals, which causes bad flu like symptoms, and two out of three who contract it are hospitalised.
Last year there were 170 cases nationwide - the highest number in 20 years.
Of those cases, 39 were in Hawkes Bay in areas that had been flooded by Cyclone Gabrielle - five times the usual number.
Kathryn speaks with Massey University professor of veterinary public health Jackie Benschop and national president of Rural Women Gill Naylor.
