Health

Flea-borne typhus outbreak hits downtown LA



Flea-borne typhus is a bacterial disease that causes fever, headache, rash, muscle ache, and fever and chills.

In severe cases, patients can require hospitalisation due to hepatitis or internal bleeding. 

It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and possibly Rickettsia felis, which are carried by fleas.

The fleas live on animals, particularly feral and stray cats, rats and opossums, but do not make their host animals unwell.

Flea-borne typhus is endemic in parts of LA and Orange County.

The disease also often occurs in Texas and Hawaii.

Around 200 cases occur every year throughout the US, particularly in coastal regions.  

Bacteria spread when faeces from an infected flea contaminate a person’s cut or graze while the flea is sucking their blood.

If the person scratches the flea-bite area, the bacteria from the faeces can enter their bloodstream.

Bacteria can also be rubbed into a person’s eyes, or, in rare cases, inhaled. 

Symptoms then appear six-to-14 days later.  

Flea-borne typhus can be treated via antibiotics, with most people recovering within a few days.

Between two and four percent of people who do not receive treatment die worldwide.

Flea-borne typhus can be prevented by avoiding contact with fleas via:

  • Discouraging wild animals around the home
  • Keeping rubbish covered 
  • Using flea control on pets



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