Deadly bacteria outbreak at Berkeley homeless camp
The Berkeley Scanner • • health
Key Points:
- Berkeley officials have identified leptospirosis, a potentially fatal bacterial disease, in rats and dogs within the Harrison Street corridor, a site of a longstanding homeless encampment, raising public health concerns.
- The city has urged encampment residents to relocate at least one-third of a mile from the affected "red zone" to prevent further spread, emphasizing the need for disinfection and caution around contaminated water and mud.
- Leptospirosis can cause severe symptoms in humans and animals, including kidney damage and liver failure, and the city recommends pet vaccinations and protective measures for residents, especially gardeners.
- Efforts to control the rat population and clean the area are hindered by the presence of the encampment and a
