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Flea-borne typhus outbreak warnings issued in L.A. County
Los Angeles Times • • health
Key Points:
- Los Angeles County health officials have reported a flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Mid-Wilshire area, with at least seven cases confirmed and six hospitalizations, all of whom have recovered.
- Flea-borne typhus is caused by Rickettsia Typhi bacteria, transmitted by infected fleas commonly found on rats, free-roaming cats, opossums, and pets.
- Symptoms typically appear within one to two weeks and include fever, headache, rash, and body aches.
- This is the second recent outbreak warning in the county, following a July alert for five cases in the Pico-Union area, with similar outbreaks also reported in Santa Monica and Willowbrook.
- Health officials urge residents to use year-round flea control on pets, avoid feeding stray animals, secure trash bins, and eliminate flea hiding spots around homes to prevent infection.
