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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)
After Amélie Oudéa-Castera, it is Anne Hidalgo’s turn to swim in the Seine, to prove that the activity is risk-free. However, leptospirosis, also called “rat pee disease”, is a threat. Should she (and other swimmers) get vaccinated against the disease? The opinion of Dr. Gérald Kierzek.
The Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra, was the first to take the plunge on July 13. She took a dip in a wetsuit in the Seine, right in the center of Paris. After postponing the appointment several times, it is now the turn of the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, to take the plunge tomorrow, Wednesday, July 17.
Why do politicians bathe in the scene?
If these political figures are going to take a dip in the Seine, it is not to cool off. It is rather a major communication operation around the healthiness of the Seine and the possibility of organizing Olympic events there.
Just a few weeks ago, various analyses showed that due to the presence of bacteria, the river was unfit for swimming.
The mayor of Paris therefore wants to prove her detractors wrong by diving in herself and thus demonstrating that this type of swimming poses no risk to health.
Leptospirosis, a disease present in the Seine
Just like E.coli or enterococci (symptoms of fecal contamination of water), Leptospira interrogans is also a bacterium that circulates in the Seine, causing leptospirosis. It is possible to contract it while swimming, by the entry of the bacteria into the body due to a wound on the skin or mucous membranes.
This pathology is characterized by a flu-like state, with a high fever and body aches. In the most serious cases, kidney and liver damage may be observed, which can in rare cases lead to the death of the patient.
Should athletes and Anne Hidalgo get vaccinated against leptospirosis?
To protect against the disease, a vaccine is available in France, but it is not reimbursed by health insurance. It costs 112 euros per dose, and three doses are needed for the vaccine to be effective. Should the mayor of Paris and the athletes who are going to swim in the river resort to it?
Asked about the subject, Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo, is clear: the answer is no. “According to the vaccination schedule, the risk and therefore vaccination can be proposed for people likely to be in contact with a contaminated environment due to the regular and long-term practice of an activity specifically exposing them to the risk” explains Dr Gérald Kierzek. “This includes activities such as swimming, diving or freshwater fishing, but also canoeing, rafting, triathlon and other nature sports, particularly those involving frequent contact with a wet environment.”Vaccination against leptospirosis is also recommended on a case-by-case basis by the occupational physician, after risk assessment, to people who carry out a professional activity exposing them to the risk of frequent contact with places infested by rodents.
So there is little risk of contamination from just one bath in the Seine?Yes, the Paris mayor’s swimming is neither regular (unless she goes every week) nor long-term, so there is little risk” reassures the doctor.On the other hand, we advise him to take a good shower afterwards and not to drink the cup” he concluded.
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