Tag

Leptospirosis

All articles tagged with #leptospirosis

public-safety1 month ago•11 min saved

Berkeley leptospirosis outbreak prompts pet, public-health precautions

Berkeley health officials report a leptospirosis outbreak near the Eighth & Harrison encampment, with two infected dogs (one fatal) and recent rodent activity; as of Jan. 12 there were no confirmed human cases. Leptospirosis is rare in the U.S., spread mainly through infected animal urine and contaminated water or soil, not airborne, and while most people recover with antibiotics, serious cases can occur. There is a canine vaccine (and vaccines for other animals) but no human vaccine. Officials advise moving away from the red zone, disinfecting gear, avoiding mud and standing water, vaccinating pets, and seeking medical or veterinary care promptly if exposure or symptoms appear.

via berkeleyside.org|

#berkeley #dogs #leptospirosis

local-news1 month ago•4 min saved

Leptospirosis Outbreak at Berkeley Encampment Prompts Urgent Public Health Action

Berkeley public health officials warn of a leptospirosis outbreak at the Harrison and Eighth Street homeless encampment, where two dogs have died and rat-based transmission could threaten humans; a health alert and a designated 'red zone' for cleaning have been issued, pets should be vaccinated, and encampment sweeps remain blocked by a federal court order, fueling debate over temporary hotel housing as a cost‑effective containment option.

via SFist|

#berkeley #homeless-encampment #leptospirosis

health1 month ago•4 min saved

Berkeley Faces Leptospirosis Risk Near Harrison Street Encampment

Berkeley public health officials warn of leptospirosis after dogs and rats tested positive at the Harrison Street encampment, prompting a recommended 1/3-mile red zone buffer and urging residents to relocate and disinfect belongings. Cleanup and rodent control are planned but hampered by an ongoing injunction related to clearing the encampment, with no confirmed human cases yet. Guidance issued for pet vaccination and protective measures to prevent exposure near Codornices Creek and surrounding areas.

via The Berkeley Scanner|

#berkeley #health #homeless-encampment

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Berkeley Warns of Rat-Borne Leptospirosis at Harrison Street Encampment, Urges Relocation and Rodent Control

Berkeley health officials warned after animals at a Harrison Street homeless encampment tested positive for leptospirosis, a bacterial disease spread by rats and capable of affecting dogs and humans. Residents are urged to relocate at least a third of a mile away due to ongoing rat infestations and transmission risk; dog and free-roaming cat owners are advised to vaccinate pets. Precautions include avoiding water in Codornices Creek and nearby standing water. Authorities are investigating the outbreak; cleanup and ongoing rodent control are expected to take about 30 days, but a federal injunction prevents full encampment clearance at Harrison Street as investigators work to curb spread to the surrounding area.

via KTVU|

#berkeley #encampment #health

public-safety1 month ago•7 min saved

Berkeley Leptospirosis Outbreak Ties Dogs and Rats at Northwest Encampment

Berkeley health officials warn of a leptospirosis outbreak linked to the Northwest Berkeley encampment near Eighth and Harrison, with two infected dogs detected last November and rats testing positive in Alameda County for the first time in five years; officials say the outbreak could persist until the camp is fully vacated for about 30 days to eradicate rat burrows, and have urged caution around standing water while offering dog vaccine vouchers as legal challenges over encampment removals continue.

via Berkeleyside|

#berkeley #encampment #leptospirosis

health1 month ago•24 min saved

Berkeley Alerts About Rat-Borne Leptospirosis Near Encampments

Berkeley health officials warned that leptospirosis, a treatable but potentially deadly rat-borne disease, has been detected in and around a homeless encampment near Harrison Street, with numerous rats and at least two dogs testing positive in 2025. An alert urges encampment residents to leave a red zone bounded by San Pablo Avenue, Gilman Street, Codornices Creek and the railroad tracks, and the city plans to clear encampments and disinfect the area. The disease spreads via infected animal urine and can cause flu-like symptoms 2–30 days after exposure, potentially leading to kidney or liver failure or meningitis if untreated. UC Berkeley also urged residents to take standard precautions like good hygiene and keeping pets away from areas with rodent activity.

via Patch|

#berkeley #encampments #health

health5 months ago•2 min saved

Chicago Reports Rise in Rat-Borne Leptospirosis Cases and Deaths

Chicago health officials issued a health alert after at least four cases of leptospirosis, including one death, linked to contact with animal urine or droppings, primarily from rats. The disease can cause severe symptoms and is preventable through measures like avoiding floodwaters, reducing rodent populations, and proper hygiene. Pets can also be vaccinated against leptospirosis.

via NBC 5 Chicago|

#animal-contact #chicago #disease-outbreak

health8 months ago•1 min saved

Boston Rats Carry Deadly Disease, Study Finds

A six-year study by Tufts University found that rats in Boston carry the bacteria responsible for leptospirosis, a potentially deadly disease that could become more prevalent with climate change, posing risks to humans and animals.

via The Boston Globe|

#boston #climate-change #disease

health1 year ago•2 min saved

Rare Animal-Borne Disease Outbreak Among Ventura Farmworkers

A cluster of farmworkers in Ventura County, California, have been diagnosed with leptospirosis, a rare bacterial disease often transmitted through animal urine. The disease has caused severe symptoms, including meningitis, in some cases. While the infection is not easily spread between humans, it is commonly contracted through contact with contaminated water or soil. The county's health department is investigating the outbreak, which has primarily affected berry farm workers, and has advised healthcare providers to consider leptospirosis in similar cases. Preventative measures for workers include proper wound care and protective clothing.

via Los Angeles Times|

#agriculture #farmworkers #health

environment1 year ago•2 min saved

"Brazil Floods: Rising Waters and Disease Claim Lives Amid Disinformation"

In Brazil's Rio Grande do Sul, unprecedented floods have led to an outbreak of leptospirosis, killing four people and resulting in 54 confirmed cases. The floods, which have displaced over 581,000 people and affected 2.3 million, have been described as a "climate disaster." Critics blame the state's environmental policies for exacerbating the damage. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with the federal government allocating significant funds for support.

via BBC.com|

#brazil #climate-disaster #environment

healthenvironment1 year ago•2 min saved

"Brazil's Flood Crisis: Rising Deaths, Displacement, and Disinformation"

Southern Brazil reports its first deaths from leptospirosis following severe flooding, with health experts warning of a surge in waterborne diseases. The disaster has displaced over 600,000 people and disrupted critical health services, complicating efforts to manage chronic diseases and prevent further outbreaks.

via The Associated Press|

#brazil #flooding #healthenvironment

health1 year ago•4 min saved

"Rising Cases of Leptospirosis in NYC Linked to Rat Urine"

New York City sanitation workers are experiencing an increase in cases of leptospirosis, a rare disease linked to rat urine, with 24 cases reported in 2023 and six cases already in 2024. The disease, which can lead to severe symptoms such as kidney and liver failure, is primarily affecting male workers with a median age of 50. The city's health department attributes the rise in cases to the presence of the Norwegian rat, and climate change may be extending the bacteria's survival. Efforts to control the rat population have gained renewed attention, with the city appointing a "rat czar" and considering ordinances to decrease the rat population.

via USA TODAY|

#disease #health #leptospirosis

health1 year ago•2 min saved

"Surge in Rat Urine-Related Sickness Hits Record High in NYC"

New York City health officials issued a warning about an increase in cases of leptospirosis, a bacterial illness spread by rat urine, with 24 cases reported in 2023, the highest for any year. The disease can cause various symptoms and, if untreated, lead to serious complications. The city's Department of Health highlighted the association with exposure to materials contaminated with rat urine and warned about the risks of transmission. The increase in cases is attributed to factors such as warmer and wetter climate, excessive rain, and unseasonably warm temperatures. The city is taking measures to address the rat infestation issue, which has been linked to the spread of the disease.

via Fox News|

#health #infectious-disease #leptospirosis

health1 year ago•3 min saved

"Surge in Rat Urine-Related Infections Hits Record High in NYC"

New York City has seen a surge in cases of leptospirosis, a life-threatening bacterial infection spread through rat urine, with a record 24 cases reported in 2023 and six cases so far in 2024. The bacteria, which infect rats and are transmitted to humans through contact with open wounds or mucous membranes, can cause severe symptoms such as kidney failure, liver damage, and respiratory distress. The city's health department attributes the increase in cases to a booming rat population, climate change, and warm, moist conditions. Mayor Eric Adams has made fighting the rat population a priority, and the health department has advised clinicians to be vigilant for cases, which are treated with common oral antibiotics or intravenous doses.

via Ars Technica|

#bacterial-infection #health #leptospirosis

health1 year ago•2 min saved

"Rising Concern: Rat Urine-Linked Infections Surge in NYC"

The New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has issued a health advisory due to an increase in human leptospirosis cases linked to exposure to rat urine in the city, with 24 cases reported in 2023 and six cases in the first quarter of 2024. Symptoms include fever, headache, and muscle aches, and severe cases can lead to renal and hepatic failure. The majority of cases have been reported in the Bronx, followed by Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island. Health officials attribute the rise in cases to factors such as excessive rain and unseasonably warm temperatures, and urge reporting of cases to facilitate remediation efforts.

via ABC News|

#disease-control #health #health-advisory