Dear Neighbor,
I’m writing to you this morning to share an important Public Health Alert from our City’s Public Health Officer issued earlier this week. In and near the Harrison Street encampments, numerous rats and at least two dogs have tested positive for Leptospirosis—a treatable disease that can have severe and potentially fatal impacts to people and dogs who are exposed to infected water or mud. Rats and their urine are the vectors for Leptospirosis. To date, no human infections have been diagnosed.
Rats have made conditions unsafe for encampments in the area bounded by San Pablo Avenue, Gilman Street, Codornices Creek and the railroad tracks. The City’s Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan strongly recommends that encampment residents move out of the defined area (see map below) and at least one-third of a mile away. Moving away significantly reduces risks to individuals and their dogs, while also allowing the City to address the rat population.
In humans, Leptospirosis infection is often asymptomatic; however, when symptoms do occur, they are typically flu-like and easily treated with standard antibiotics. In both humans and animals, the disease can become serious if left untreated. For pet owners, please watch for signs of illness such as fever, jaundice, lethargy, vomiting, or changes in thirst and urination. If ignored, these symptoms can progress to kidney failure. While oral antibiotics are effective for treatment, prevention is key: many Bay Area dogs already receive the Leptospirosis vaccine as part of their core vaccinations. Please consult your veterinarian to ensure your pets are protected. For more safety information, please review the Public Health Alert.
The Harrison encampment has been unsafe and unhealthy to encampment residents and the surrounding neighborhood for years; however, it was not until January 2025 that the City of Berkeley had the policy tools and operational readiness needed to close the encampment. In the summer of 2024, the Supreme Court decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson gave cities like Berkeley new authority to develop a more nuanced approach to dangerous encampments. In September 2024, the Berkeley City Council at the time adopted a new encampment policy that I authored to give our City staff clear direction to close dangerous encampments when they meet specific health and safety code violations. The policy reiterates the City’s commitment to a “Housing First” approach and to make shelter offers whenever practicable. Using this new encampment policy, City staff first attempted to close the dangerous Harrison encampment in January 2025. That effort was legally challenged by the Berkeley Homeless Union and the City continues to litigate the case in federal court. Most recently, a hearing took place on Tues., Jan. 13, and the City included the Public Health Officer Public Health Alert in its court filing; the judge’s most recent order is available HERE. The judge has scheduled an in-person hearing for oral arguments on March 20. At that time or soon after, we are expecting the judge to rule on the case.
On Wed., Jan. 15, City Manager Paul Buddenhagen activated the City’s Emergency Operations Center to address the Leptospirosis outbreak. The Emergency Operations Center is a formal body of staff from multiple departments throughout the City (Police, Fire, Environmental Health, Public Health, Neighborhood Services, Public Works, and the City Attorney’s Office) that will put all other work aside so they can focus on the urgent public health issue in the Harrison corridor.
Objectives for the Emergency Operations Center include:
- Protect public health and safety of encampment residents and people in northwest Berkeley from Leptospirosis;
- Support and protect the public health of our workforce;
- Continue to make shelter offers as available;
- Provide timely communications to the public;
- Coordinate effectively with partner agencies (Alameda County and UC Berkeley); and
- Provide coordination and support to the City Attorney’s Office in anticipation of the March 20 court hearing.
In your communications to me, I understand that some of you are concerned that you live or work within or near the outbreak area and have not received notification. I have personally asked the City Manager to mail postcards to residents in close proximity to the outbreak area, and we are exploring a community meeting to answer your questions. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns (rkesarwani[@]berkeleyca[.]gov or 510-981-7110).
Ohlone Park Restrooms Now Open!
Last week, I was honored to cut the ribbon for the completed Ohlone Park Restroom and Lighting Improvements project. This $1.2 million investment brings high-quality, permanent amenities to one of our most active parks, including a new ADA-compliant restroom with two gender-neutral stalls, rooftop solar panels, and a water bottle refilling station.
To improve safety and visibility, we also installed seven dark-sky-compliant pathway lights, new bollard lighting at Grant Street, and upgraded LED fixtures for the basketball courts. These improvements were made possible by the voters who supported the Measure T1 Infrastructure and Facilities Bond, the tireless advocacy of the Friends of Ohlone Park (FOOP), and the hard work of our City staff. Looking ahead, the park will soon see even more upgrades with a new playground structure for ages 5–12 near the Community Garden, expected to be completed within the next few months.
Please join me for the 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast Celebration, which will be held at the Double Tree Hotel, 200 Marina Boulevard, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mon., Jan. 19. Click HERE for tickets to the breakfast.
Also on Jan. 19, you’re invited to join Mayor Adena Ishii and her staff for the following volunteer opportunity:
Cesar Chavez Park Cleanup | 10:30 AM – 2 PM: Participate in a shoreline cleanup with the City of Berkeley Parks, Recreation, and Waterfront Department. Meet at 11 Spinnaker Way for a brief training, then supplies will be distributed, including gloves, buckets, and a map of the targeted locations. (Note: You are welcome to bring your own buckets and gloves.) Please feel free to bring family, friends, or neighbors! Sign up to volunteer.