Flea-borne Typhus infections have hit record levels in LA. Here’s how to protect yourself – UK Times

Los Angeles County is experiencing a record surge in flea-borne typhus cases, prompting public health officials to issue warnings and raise concerns.

There were 220 typhus cases reported in 2025, county officials announced Thursday an increase from 187 in 2024 and the highest number ever documented. Public health officials said nearly nine out of 10 people infected required hospitalization.

Cases affected a wide age range, from infants as young as 1 year old to adults up to 85 years old.

Flea-borne typhus is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi and is primarily spread through fleas that have bitten infected animals, including rats, stray cats or opossums, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Humans can become infected when flea feces come into contact with cuts, scrapes or the eyes. Officials say fleas can be brought indoors on pets or other animals, but the disease does not spread from person to person.

The number of typhus cases in Los Angeles County has been rising in recent years. The county recorded 141 cases in 2021, which increased to 171 in 2022. Although there was a slight drop to 124 cases in 2023, the numbers began climbing again in 2024.

Although infections have been reported across the county, health officials are currently investigating three concentrated outbreak areas in Central Los Angeles, Santa Monica and the Willowbrook neighborhood.

Typhus infections can happen any time of year, but cases usually spike in late summer and fall. The warmer temperatures during these months make fleas more active, increasing the risk that bacteria from infected animals will spread to humans.

Symptoms typically develop within one to two weeks after exposure and can include fever, headaches, nausea and rashes.

The disease is treatable with antibiotics, particularly when diagnosed early, health officials said in the announcement.

Since animals can carry infected fleas without appearing sick, health officials offer some easy ways to keep both families and pets safe. They recommend using flea control on your pets year-round, keeping them indoors when possible, avoiding stray animals and making sure trash is secured to keep rodents and wildlife away.

Residents who notice stray animals, rodents, or opossums near their property should report them to their local animal control agency, officials said. Prompt notification helps authorities manage potential disease risks and reduce the spread of fleas that can carry typhus.