Deadly rat urine disease linked to infested RV after hazmat crews swooped on massive California tent city
A deadly disease spread by rat urine infected two people living in a filthy RV near a homeless encampment in California — with one patient dying after a lengthy hospitalization.The two victims were living in a rat-infested RV about a mile from the homeless encampment at Eighth and Harrison streets in Berkeley, where officials later linked an outbreak of the same disease to rats.“Both individuals had been living in a severely rat-infested RV about one mile from the Harrison Street encampment.Tragically, one of the patients died and one recovered after a lengthy hospitalization,” a city memo released in June said.
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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story The illness, known as leptospirosis, is a potentially deadly flu-like disease that can spread through contact with urine from infected animals.Berkeley began clearing the encampment Tuesday after winning court approval to remove the tents and structures.
Officials had declared the sprawling camp a fire hazard and public nuisance following the disease outbreak and concerns about its rat population.California Post News: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, YouTube, WhatsApp, LinkedInCalifornia Post Sports Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, XCalifornia Post Opinion California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!California Post App: Download here!Home delivery: Sign up here!Page Six Hollywood: Sign up here!The city first became aware of a potential disease problem in December 2025, when veterinarians treated dogs that had become sick.Testing later found rats in the encampment were carrying leptospirosis, prompting the city to issue a public health warning and urge residents to take precautions.Berkeley officials specifically told pet owners to “ensure dogs have the leptospirosis vaccine” and called for the encampments t...