AI Generated Image
Flea-borne typhus outbreak in Pico-Union prompts warning from LA County health officials
ABC7 Los Angeles • • health
Key Points:
- Los Angeles County health officials have reported a localized outbreak of flea-borne typhus in the Pico-Union neighborhood, with five people hospitalized this year who have since recovered.
- Flea-borne typhus cases are rising countywide, with a record 220 cases reported in 2025, up from 187 in 2024, and nearly 90% of diagnosed patients requiring hospitalization.
- The disease is transmitted by infected fleas commonly found on rats, free-roaming cats, and opossums, often entering homes via pets or other animals.
- Symptoms appear one to two weeks after infection and include fever, headache, rash, and nausea; early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are critical.
- Health officials advise residents to use year-round flea control on pets, avoid stray animals, maintain clean yards, and report sightings of rodents or opossums to reduce infection risk.
