Months after Berkeley warned residents that rats carrying leptospirosis had been found near a homeless encampment in the city's Harrison Street corridor, officials have confirmed the city's first human cases in more than a decade, including one fatal case, according to a statement from the city's public health division on June 10, 2026.
The cases involve individuals who were exposed to areas with known rat infestations, particularly near homeless encampments. The city had previously detected the bacteria in rats in the same area in early 2026, prompting warnings to avoid contact with rat urine and contaminated water.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can cause severe symptoms, including kidney damage, liver failure, and respiratory distress. It is typically spread through contact with water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, especially rats.
City officials are urging residents to avoid areas with visible rat activity, report infestations, and seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, headache, or muscle aches after potential exposure. The city is also increasing rodent control measures in affected areas.
