A disease that could be fatal for humans is spreading in the San Francisco area. Berkeley health officials have now issued a warning after a dangerous bacterial disease was detected in the city, with two dogs testing positive. It can spread to humans.

In a news release on Monday, January 12, Berkeley health officials issued a warning to residents after a bacterial disease, which can be dangerous to humans, was detected in the city. At least two dogs have tested positive for leptospirosis near an encampment on Harrison Street.

Leptospirosis is caused by the bacterium Leptospira, which can be fatal to both animals and people. It spreads through the urine and bodily fluids of infected animals, most commonly among rats.

It can contaminate soil and stagnant water. Both humans and animals can become infected when contaminated water or soil comes into contact with the mouth, eyes, or cuts.

Speaking with SF Gate, Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, an infectious disease expert at UC San Francisco, said the disease is usually associated with tropical climates. However, due to recent storms in the Bay Area, conditions are ideal for the bacteria to spread.

Bacterial disease leptospirosis detected in the Bay Area

The bacteria can survive in the contaminated water or soil for weeks, and even months. The risk of an outbreak increases with flooding or heavy rainfall.

“Wherever you get rats urinating and then flooding or rain, there’s potential for exposure,” he said. “The combination of warmth followed by rain is kind of a bad setup for leptospirosis.”

At the time of writing, no human cases have been reported. However, according to public health officer Dr. Noemi Doohan, it “does not remove the risk of undiagnosed cases or future cases.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Leptospirosis in people can lead to kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, trouble breathing, and even death without treatment.

Symptoms include fever, headache, chills, vomiting or nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea. It can easily be mistaken for other diseases, and some don’t show symptoms at all.

The CDC states it generally takes 2-30 days to get sick after having contact with the bacteria that cause leptospirosis.

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