A California resident died from leptospirosis after living in a recreational vehicle infested with wild rats. The individual and their partner both contracted the disease, according to Berkeley city manager Paul Buddenhagen.
Key Details
- The residents lived in an RV where they trapped, fed, and bred wild rats, leading to a severe infestation.
- Both fell ill but did not seek medical treatment for weeks or possibly months.
- One individual died shortly after hospitalization; the other recovered with treatment.
- Alameda County Vector Control trapped and removed rats from the RV, which was later towed and destroyed.
- Testing showed a high prevalence of leptospirosis in rats around the RV, above expected urban baselines.
Risk Assessment
- Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through infected animals' urine. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare.
- Buddenhagen stated that public health risk is very low, as the case involved an extreme situation.
- No cases have been recorded at the nearby Harrison Street encampment, and no evidence of transmission to other animals.