LA Has a Big Flea Problem. Typhus Cases Reached Record High Last Year
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- Flea-borne typhus, an ancient disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and spread by fleas, has seen a resurgence in California, particularly in Los Angeles, where over 200 cases were reported last year, setting a new county record.
- The disease affects people of all ages, with symptoms including fever, headache, vomiting, and rash, and about 90% of those infected in Los Angeles required hospitalization.
- Flea-borne typhus is transmitted primarily through fleas that infest rats and small mammals, with humans typically infected via flea feces entering bite wounds or mucous membranes.
- Health officials emphasize prevention measures such as regular flea control for pets, avoiding contact with stray animals, and reducing wildlife presence around homes to curb the spread of the disease.
- Vulnerable populations, including people experiencing homelessness and residents of rat-infested buildings, are at higher risk, but the disease can affect anyone exposed to infected fleas.
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