Berkeley Leptospirosis Outbreak Kills 1, Hospitalizes Another as Rat-Breeding RV Tied to Cases
Updated
Updated · Berkeleyside · Jun 10
Berkeley Leptospirosis Outbreak Kills 1, Hospitalizes Another as Rat-Breeding RV Tied to Cases
2 articles · Updated · Berkeleyside · Jun 10
Summary
Two Berkeley residents who lived together in an RV contracted leptospirosis in cases confirmed in May; one died and the other recovered after a lengthy hospitalization.
City officials said the pair had used the RV to trap, feed and breed wild rats, and delayed seeking care for weeks or possibly months, a lapse believed to have worsened the illness.
The infections are Berkeley's first known human leptospirosis cases in more than a decade and suggest the outbreak has spread beyond the one-third-mile North Berkeley zone flagged in January.
Health officials still called the risk to housed residents extremely low, while warning that people in camps and RVs face greater exposure through rat urine contaminating water or entering open wounds.
Berkeley has removed about 40 tons of trash from the Harrison Street camp since February, while county crews exterminate infected rats and officials urge pet vaccinations and protective steps.