Pet homeowners, beware: Flea-borne typhus is on the rise in components of Southern California.
The excellent news is there are a number of common sense 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 can be carrying the illness. The illness is brought on by Rickettsia typhi micro organism, which could 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 median of about 300 circumstances annually nationwide, based on 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.
Up to now this yr, 79 circumstances of flea-borne typhus—confirmed, possible or suspected—have been reported in Los Angeles County, aside from the cities of Lengthy Seashore and Pasadena, based on the County Public Well being Division. For all of final yr, the county had a complete of 187 circumstances, and it estimated 124 circumstances in 2023.
Town of Lengthy Seashore 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 annually, and “if this pattern continues, Lengthy Seashore is predicted to surpass its 2021 document of 28 circumstances reported in a single yr,” based on the town’s Division of Well being and Human Companies.
A minimum of 75% of the individuals with the illness in Lengthy Seashore have been hospitalized, and all have recovered.
Who’s vulnerable to contracting flea-borne typhus
In areas the place the illness is prevalent, you might be most vulnerable to getting typhus from contaminated fleas if you happen to contact, pet or come into contact with rats, opossums and stray cats.
Even when the illness is not widespread in your neighborhood, public well being consultants say it’s best to nonetheless keep away from animals that may carry the contaminated fleas.
Individuals who stay open air or in housing that’s infested with rats or different rodents are additionally vulnerable to contracting the illness.
Learn how to maintain fleas and illness at bay
State and native public well being consultants present the next steering on easy methods to forestall fleas from clinging onto your pet and holding them out of your house.
To maintain contaminated fleas away from pets, maintain them indoors and deal with them repeatedly with flea management medication.
Keep away from attracting stray cats or rodents which can be carrying contaminated fleas by holding your trash cans coated always. Do not go away trash or your pet meals outdoors as that may entice animals to your house.
Do not befriend or feed strays in your neighborhood that might be carriers of contaminated fleas.
Stop contaminated fleas or small animals from moving into or residing in your property by clearing overgrown vegetation and litter. 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), based on the Los Angeles County Public Well being Division.
Demise from the illness is rare, but it surely has occurred in Los Angeles County. In 2022, there have been three deaths as a consequence of flea-borne typhus. All of the victims have been adults who had different underlying medical circumstances.
When you have any signs of the illness, attain out to your well being care supplier straight away for remedy.
Flea-borne typhus could be handled with antibiotics.
2025 Los Angeles Occasions. Distributed by Tribune Content material Company, LLC.
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Flea-borne typhus infections are on the rise in Southern California: Learn how to defend your self and your pets (2025, August 7)
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