LA hit a record high for typhus cases last year. Why is the flea-borne disease so hard to eradicate?

Key Points:

• L.A. County reported a record 220 cases of flea-borne typhus in 2025, with 17 cases so far in 2026, marking a continued year-over-year increase linked to interactions between humans, reservoir animals like rats, cats, opossums, and infected fleas.
• The disease, spread by flea feces entering cuts or mucous membranes, is treatable with antibiotics but can cause serious illness, with nine out of ten reported cases requiring hospitalization, though many mild cases may go undiagnosed.
• Similar typhus outbreaks have been reported in other U.S. regions, including Texas and Long Beach, where public health measures such as education and vector control helped contain a 2025 outbreak.
• Preventive measures include using flea control on pets, securing trash to deter animals, avoiding contact with free-roaming animals, and using flea-repellent insecticides when outdoors.
• Symptoms typically appear within two weeks of exposure and include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, and rash; individuals experiencing these should seek medical advice promptly.