The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is reporting a record number of flea-borne typhus cases in Los Angeles County, with 220 cases identified in 2025, the highest-ever recorded. Alarmingly, nearly 9 out of 10 people identified as infected with typus required hospitalization, underscoring the seriousness of the disease and the urgent need for awareness and prevention. The good news is that flea-borne typhus is treatable with antibiotics, especially when diagnosed early.

People are often exposed in and around their homes, when infected fleas are carried indoors on pets or other animals. Fleas that spread typhus are commonly found on stray animals, rodents, and other wildlife such as opossums.

Public Health urges people to take these key steps now:

• Protect your pets: Use flea control year-round
• Avoid stray animals: Don’t feed or handle them
• Keep wildlife out: Secure trash and block entry and hiding points

Cases have been reported across the County, including three localized outbreaks investigated in 2025 in Central Los Angeles City, the City of Santa Monica and the unincorporated neighborhood of Willowbrook in South LA County. This marks a continued rise from 187 cases in 2024 and reflects a sustained upward trend in recent years.

“Flea-borne typhus can cause serious illness, but it is preventable with simple steps,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “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.”

Symptoms typically appear within 1–2 weeks after becoming infected and may include fever, headache, rash, and body aches. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should seek medical care promptly, especially if they may have been exposed to fleas or animals.

In 2025, cases ranged in age from 1 to 85 years, highlighting that people of all age groups are at risk.

About Flea-Borne Typhus (Typhus)

Typhus is an acute febrile bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia Typhi bacteria, which is spread by infected fleas.

Because animals carrying infected fleas often appear healthy, people may not realize they are at risk.

In Los Angeles County, infected fleas are commonly found on rats, free-roaming cats, and opossums. Pets that spend time outdoors can carry fleas into homes and expose household members. People can also become infected when flea dirt (poop) enters the body through cuts or scrapes in the skin or if rubbed into the eyes. Infected animals typically do not show signs of illness, and flea-borne typhus is not spread from person to person.

Signs and symptoms of flea-borne typhus can include fever, headache, body aches and muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and rash. Flea-borne typhus is treatable with antibiotics, and early diagnosis helps prevent severe illness and hospitalization.

Additional Steps to Prevent Flea Exposure

The best way to prevent illness is to reduce exposure to fleas and avoid contact with animals that may carry them. People can still be exposed without direct contact, as infected fleas can be brought into the home on pets or other animals.

• Protect yourself and your pets:
  • Routinely use flea control products on your pets.
  • Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
  • When outside, use EPA-registered insect repellent labeled for protection against fleas.
• Avoid attracting wild or stray animals:
  • Don’t leave pet food outdoors.
  • Don’t feed or touch free-roaming animals.   
• Maintain your property:
  • Keep your yard free of debris and trim overgrown plants and bushes.   
  • Keep trash in containers with tightly fitting lids.
  • Close off crawl spaces and seal openings where animals can enter, hide, or find food.   
• Report concerns:
  • Notify local animal control if you observe stray animals, rodents, or opossums near your property.
• Know the symptoms:
  • Flea-borne typhus can cause fever, chills, headache, and rash. Seek medical care promptly if symptoms develop.

To learn more about flea-borne typhus and prevention visit: ph.lacounty.gov/Typhus

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health 

The Department of Public Health is committed to promoting health equity and ensuring optimal health and well -being for all 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health comprises of more than 5,000 employees and has an annual budget of $1.3 billion.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health works to protect health, 
prevent disease, and promote health and well-being.