Grim ‘Victorian Disease’ Makes an Alarming Comeback
The Daily Beast • • health
Key Points:
- Flea-borne typhus, a contagious bacterial disease historically linked to crises, is surging in Los Angeles County with over 220 confirmed cases in 2025, surpassing last year's total.
- Approximately 90% of infected patients require hospitalization, and the disease can cause severe symptoms including fever, rash, neurological issues, and in some cases, multi-organ failure or death.
- The illness spreads through infected fleas carried by animals like rats and opossums, with transmission to humans occurring via flea feces entering cuts or mucous membranes, often facilitated by pets bringing fleas indoors.
- Health officials recommend flea control on pets, maintaining clean outdoor environments, sealing entry points to homes, and avoiding contact with stray wildlife to reduce infection risk.
- Although the disease is serious, it is treatable with antibiotics, especially if diagnosed early, highlighting the importance of awareness and prompt medical attention.
