Pet house owners, beware: Flea-borne typhus is on the rise in components of Southern California.
The excellent news is there are a number of commonsense methods to guard your pet and your self from getting contaminated.
A flea turns into contaminated when it bites rats, opossums and stray cats which might be carrying the illness. The illness is attributable to Rickettsia typhi micro organism, which will be unfold to people when feces from contaminated fleas is rubbed into cuts or scrapes on the pores and skin or into the eyes.
Within the U.S., most circumstances of flea-borne typhus happen in Texas, California and Hawaii, with a mean of about 300 circumstances every year nationwide, in accordance with the California Division of Public Well being.
The illness happens year-round in areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties, however circumstances are inclined to peak throughout late summer season and fall months.
To this point this 12 months, 79 circumstances of flea-borne typhus — confirmed, possible or suspected — have been reported in Los Angeles County, apart from the cities of Lengthy Seaside and Pasadena, in accordance with the county Public Well being Division. For all of final 12 months, the county had a complete of 187 circumstances and it estimated 124 circumstances in 2023.
The town of Lengthy Seaside reported 20 circumstances as of July 31, a leap from 12 circumstances throughout the identical interval in 2024. On common the town has reported 20 circumstances every year, and “if this pattern continues, Lengthy Seaside is predicted to surpass its 2021 file of 28 circumstances reported in a single 12 months,” in accordance with the town’s Division of Well being and Human Providers.
At the least 75% of the individuals with the illness in Lengthy Seaside have been hospitalized, and all have recovered.
Who’s vulnerable to contracting flea-borne typhus
In areas have been the illness is prevalent, you’re most vulnerable to getting typhus from contaminated fleas in case you contact, pet or come into contact with rats, opossums and stray cats.
Even when the illness isn’t widespread in your neighborhood, public well being specialists say you must nonetheless steer clear of animals that may carry the contaminated fleas.
Individuals who dwell outside or in housing that’s infested with rats or different rodents are additionally vulnerable to contracting the illness.
Methods to maintain the fleas and illness at bay
State and native public well being specialists present the next steerage on the way to forestall fleas from clinging onto your pet and preserving them out of your house.
To maintain contaminated fleas away from pets, maintain them indoors and deal with them repeatedly with flea management drugs.
Keep away from attracting stray cats or rodents which might be carrying contaminated fleas by preserving your trash cans coated always. Don’t depart trash or your pet meals exterior as that may entice animals to your house.
Don’t befriend or feed strays in your neighborhood that could possibly be carriers of the contaminated fleas.
Stop contaminated fleas or small animals from stepping into or dwelling in your property by clearing overgrown vegetation and muddle. If there are any openings or crawl areas in your house, seal them.
These are the signs and remedy for typhus
Signs of flea-borne typhus embody fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and a rash on or across the chest, sides and again.
Though uncommon, swelling can happen within the lining of the mind (meningitis) or within the coronary heart valves (endocarditis), in accordance with the Los Angeles County Division of Public Well being.
Demise as a result of illness is rare, however it has occurred in Los Angeles County. In 2022, there have been three deaths on account of flea-borne typhus; all victims have been adults who had underlying medical situations.
If in case you have any signs of the illness, attain out to your healthcare supplier instantly for remedy.
Flea-borne typhus will be handled with antibiotics.
