Berkeley slammed with frightening leptospirosis outbreak near homeless encampment (Jan 16, 2026)

Hippie college town Berkeley is sounding the alarm over a frightening outbreak of leptospirosis near a homeless encampment in the leafy Bay Area enclave. The bacterial disease has been found in several rats and two dogs, posing a potentially fatal threat to animals and people, according to a health report from the Health, Housing, and Community Services Department.