Flea-Borne Typhus (Photo – lacounty)
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a localized outbreak of flea-borne typhus in the Wilshire Center neighborhood of Los Angeles.
By News Desk
Seven symptomatic cases linked to the outbreak have been identified. Six patients were hospitalized, and all have recovered.
The outbreak is the second cluster of flea-borne typhus reported by Public Health this year. Although both clusters are centered in individual neighborhoods, health officials say the risk extends throughout Los Angeles County. So far this year, 109 cases have been reported countywide among people from a range of housing and socioeconomic circumstances.
“Preventing exposure to fleas on free-roaming animals and wildlife is more important than ever,” Muntu Davis, the county’s health officer, said. “Simple steps can prevent serious illness.”
Flea-borne typhus can affect anyone. People are often exposed near their homes by infected fleas carried by pets or wildlife. In Los Angeles County, infected fleas are commonly found on rats, free-roaming cats and opossums.
Symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks after infection and may include fever, headache, rash and body aches. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care promptly, particularly if they may have been exposed to fleas or animals.
The illness can be treated effectively with antibiotics when diagnosed early. Public Health recommends keeping pets on year-round flea control, rodent-proofing homes and preventing wildlife from living in or around residences.
The county reported a record 220 cases in 2025, the highest number ever recorded. Those cases involved people ranging in age from 1 to 85. The county reported 187 cases in 2024.
Leave a Reply