The results of a follow up American Samoa study on the incidence of leptospirosis shows one in six adults has one of the common carriers of the disease.
807 adults on Tutuila and Manu'a were tested by the Department of Health, the World Health Organization and the University of Queensland.
The main findings show that having piggeries close to homes increases the risk; low income people are more likely to contract it and awareness about the disease helps.
The study leader, Dr Colleen Lau, encourages people to use gloves and wear boots during high risk activities.
