LA typhus outbreaks hospitalize 6 as flea-borne infection resurfaces

Key Points:

• Six people have been hospitalized in a new outbreak of flea-borne typhus in the Wilshire Center area of Los Angeles, as health officials continue to investigate the resurgence of this bacterial infection across LA County.
• The latest outbreak follows a recent cluster in Pico-Union earlier this year, where five people were hospitalized, with fleas believed to be the primary source of exposure.
• Flea-borne typhus, caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi, is transmitted through flea feces entering the body via broken skin or mucous membranes, and symptoms include fever, headache, rash, and muscle aches; the disease is treatable with antibiotics if caught early.
• The rise in cases is linked to poor sanitation and environments such as homeless encampments, with rats, outdoor cats, and opossums serving as carriers of infected fleas; LA County recorded a record 220 cases in 2025, with nearly 90% requiring hospitalization.
• Health officials advise residents to maintain year-round flea control on pets, avoid contact with wild or stray animals, and take measures to prevent rats and wildlife from inhabiting residential areas to reduce infection risk.