BERKELEY, CA – A Berkeley resident has died from leptospirosis, a rare bacterial disease, after living in a recreational vehicle heavily infested with wild rats.
Extreme Infestation Leads to Infection
According to a memo shared by Berkeley City Manager Paul Buddenhagen, the deceased individual and their living partner resided in an RV parked near the Harrison Street encampment.
The vehicle was severely infested with uncaged wild rats. Officials revealed that the residents had actively been trapping, feeding, and breeding the wild rodents inside the confined space. Both individuals became severely ill but did not seek medical attention for weeks or possibly months before being hospitalized.
While one resident recovered after receiving treatment, the other tragically passed away shortly after admission.
Vector Control Intervenes
Following the incident, Alameda County Vector Control stepped in to secure the area. Crews sealed the RV and laid multiple traps inside and around the vehicle over several days.
After ensuring no rodents remained, the vehicle was towed away and completely destroyed. Continuous testing by Vector Control revealed a persistently high prevalence of leptospirosis among the wild rat population in the immediate vicinity of the RV, exceeding normal urban baselines.
Public Health Risk Remains Low
City officials emphasized that the tragic death was the result of an “extreme situation” and does not pose a widespread threat to the community.
- Transmission: Leptospirosis is spread through contact with infected animal urine or body fluids.
- Person-to-Person: Human-to-human transmission is extremely rare.
- Current Status: No other cases have been reported at the Harrison Street encampment, and there is no evidence of the disease spreading to other local animals.
