What is flea-borne typhus? LA County reports record number of cases

Health officials in Los Angeles County are urging residents to take precautions as the area has seen a surge in flea-borne typhus cases.

The LA County Department of Public Health said in an April 2 news release it documented 220 cases in 2025, the highest-ever recorded. Additionally, the health department said 90% of those infected required hospitalization.

According to the health officials, cases have been confirmed across LA County, including three localized outbreaks investigated in Central Los Angeles City, Santa Monica, and Willowbrook.

“Flea-borne typhus can cause serious illness, but it is preventable with simple steps,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, a Los Angeles County health officer, in the news release.

“With cases at an all-time high and most requiring hospitalization, it’s critical that people take simple steps now, such as routinely using flea control on their pets, avoiding contact with stray animals, and preventing wildlife from living in or around their homes,” Davis said.

Here's what to know about flea-borne typhus and how to stay safe.

What is flea-borne typhus?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flea-borne typhus is a disease caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi.

It is spread to people through contact with fleas, and fleas become infected when they bite afflicted animals, such as rats, cats, or opossums.

How do fleas spread typhus?

When an infected flea bites a person or animal, the bite breaks the skin, causing a wound, according to the CDC. Fleas defecate when they feed, and the fecal matter contains the bacteria, which can be rubbed into the bite wound or other wounds and cause an infection.

People can also breathe in infected flea dirt or rub it into their eyes. However, these bacteria do not spread from person to person.

Where does flea-borne typhus occur?

The CDC says flea-borne typhus occurs in many tropical, subtropical and temperate climates around the world, including several countries in Southeast Asia, Africa and southern Europe, among others.

In the United States, Southern California, Hawaii and southern Texas report the most cases, although cases likely occur in other states, according to the CDC.

Symptoms of flea-borne typhus

According to health officials, symptoms of flea-borne typhus begin within 3-14 days after contact with infected fleas or flea dirt. However, people often do not know they have been bitten by a flea or exposed to flea dirt.

Signs and symptoms of flea-borne typhus include:

• Fever and chills
• Body aches and muscle pain
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Cough
• Rash – typically occurs in about half of patients, and generally begins around Day 5 of illness

Severe illness can occur in some people, but deaths are rare, with less than 1% of all cases resulting in death. Almost all cases resolve completely with appropriate antibiotics, the CDC says.

If the disease is not treated promptly, some people with the disease will need to be hospitalized.

How to prevent flea-borne typhus

No vaccine is available to prevent flea-borne typhus. However, people can reduce the risk of getting the disease by avoiding contact with fleas.

The LA County Department of Public Health urges people to take these steps:

• Use flea control on your pets year-round
• Don't feed or handle stray animals
• Keep wildlife out by securing trash and blocking entry and hiding points
• Contact your local animal control if you see any stray dog, or injured or sick dogs, cats, rodents, or opossums near your property

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected].