Leptospirosis has been recognized as an emerging infectious disease of global importance. Large outbreaks occur annually in the (sub) tropics where conditions for its transmission are particularly favourable. Although Leptospira thrive in warm, humid conditions, the incidence of leptospirosis in temperate regions is also significant. Leptospirosis has also emerged as a disease that impacts the adventure traveller, especially those that participate in water sports and visit tropical regions where the disease is endemic. Several large clusters of leptospirosis cases that follow hurricanes and excessive rainfall have recently been reported. In the light of global warming and related extreme weather events, leptospirosis now receives more international attention as a climate-sensitive disease.