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Flea-Borne Typhus Rate Doubles In Los Angeles County To Over 60 Cases

Los Angeles County has named the flea-borne typhus outbreak an “endemic,” advising the public to avoid exposure to the stray animals.


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The Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding residents to take action to protect themselves from flea-borne typhus by using flea control products on pets and avoiding wild or stray animals.

“We are continuing to see cases of flea-borne typhus throughout Los Angeles County, so it is important that everyone takes steps to reduce their risk of infection,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County health officer. “Typhus infection can be prevented through flea control measures on pets, using insect repellent to avoid flea bites, and clearing areas that can attract wild or stray animals like cats, rats and opossums.”

See Related: How To Protect Your Family, Pets From Flea-Borne Typhus Bacteria

Typhus is endemic, meaning that the disease is widespread within fleas in Los Angeles County, and in recent years, the average number of reported cases has doubled to nearly 60 cases per year, according to officials.

In 2018, there have been 63 cases of typhus countywide.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger has introduced a motion that brings forward a public health-centered effort to address the emergence of diseases that have impacted the County, especially among the homeless population.

The motion by Supervisor Barger and Supervisor Janice Hahn introduces a new concept that involves County partnership with cities to coordinate housing placement efforts and public health prevention efforts in areas where city sanitation resources are deployed.

Typically, when unsanitary, high-risk areas are cleaned out by local agencies, the people occupying those areas temporarily move and come back when cleaning efforts are complete, according to officials.

See Related: Supervisor Barger Proposes Motion To Combat Disease Impacting Homeless Population

“This program seeks to put an end to this cycle. It is simply inhumane to stand by while people are living in dangerous conditions,” said Supervisor Barger. “Our communities deserve better, and the time to act is now.”

DPH continues to conduct surveillance activities, to interview those affected, and to work with other County departments and incorporated cities to reduce the environmental risk for typhus infections.

Flea-borne typhus is a disease that infected fleas can spread to humans. Bacteria found in infected fleas, and their feces, cause typhus.

Symptoms of typhus include high fever, chills, headache and rash in people. Typhus is not transmitted person-by-person.

Fleas can come from many types of animals including cats, rats, and opossums. Places, where there is an accumulation of trash that attract wild animals like feral cats, rats and opossums that may carry an infected flea, can increase the risk of exposure.

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Flea-Borne Typhus Rate Doubles In Los Angeles County To Over 60 Cases

One comment

  1. I’m afraid to be near bums asking for money they might give me fleas. Can’t they stay at Bridge to Welfare?

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About Devon Miller

Devon Miller was born and raised in Santa Clarita. He joined KHTS Radio as a digital marketing intern in September of 2017, and later moved to news as a staff writer in December. Miller attended College of the Canyons and served as the Associated Student Government President. Miller is now News Director for KHTS, covering breaking news and politics across the Santa Clarita Valley.