Typhus Cases Reach Record Levels In LA County With 9 Of 10 Requiring Hospitalization
Patch • • health
Key Points:
- Los Angeles County recorded a record 220 cases of flea-borne typhus in 2025, marking a 17% increase from 2024 and the highest number ever reported, with 90% of infected individuals requiring hospitalization.
- Three localized outbreaks occurred in Central Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Willowbrook, with Long Beach also experiencing a record 34 cases between January and mid-October 2025.
- The disease is commonly transmitted by fleas carried indoors on pets or wildlife such as stray animals, rats, mice, and opossums, often exposing people in and around their homes.
- Symptoms include high fever, chills, headache, and rash, appearing within one to two weeks of infection; untreated cases can lead to severe illness or death, but the disease is preventable with flea control and avoiding contact with stray animals.
- Health officials urge residents to use flea treatments on pets year-round, secure trash cans, and block wildlife entry points to reduce risk, emphasizing the importance of these measures amid the surge in cases.
