Outbreak of gross medieval disease sends six people to hospital in LA neighborhood

Key Points:

• Six people have been hospitalized in a new outbreak of flea-borne typhus in Los Angeles' Wilshire Center area, as health officials investigate the resurgence of this bacterial infection.
• This outbreak follows an earlier cluster in Pico-Union earlier this year, where five people were hospitalized with symptoms linked to flea exposure.
• Flea-borne typhus is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi, transmitted through flea feces entering broken skin or eyes, with symptoms including fever, rash, and muscle aches; it is treatable with antibiotics if diagnosed early.
• The disease is commonly associated with fleas carried by rats, outdoor cats, and other animals, particularly in areas with poor sanitation such as homeless encampments, contributing to a rise in cases across LA County.
• Los Angeles County recorded a record 220 cases in 2025, with nearly 90% requiring hospitalization, and officials advise residents to maintain flea control on pets, avoid contact with wild animals, and prevent rodent infestations.