With 220 cases and a 90% hospitalization rate, health officials urge immediate precautions.
Public health officials are sounding the alarm after flea-borne typhus infections reached an all-time high in Los Angeles County, with a record 220 cases identified in 2025.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reported that nearly 90% of those infected last year required hospitalization, highlighting the severe nature of the bacterial disease. The 2025 figures represent a steady climb from 187 cases in 2024, continuing a multi-year upward trend across the region.
“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.”
While cases have spanned the county, specific 2025 outbreaks were investigated in Santa Monica, Central Los Angeles, and the Willowbrook neighborhood of South Los Angeles.
Typhus is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi, which is transmitted to humans by infected fleas. These fleas are commonly found on rats, opossums, and stray cats. While the animals carrying the fleas often appear healthy, they can transport the insects into residential areas and homes.
Infection typically occurs when “flea dirt”, the waste produced by fleas, enters the body through a bite wound, a scrape in the skin, or by being rubbed into the eyes. Public health officials emphasized that the disease is not spread from person to person.
Symptoms generally manifest within one to two weeks of exposure and include:
- High fever and chills
- Severe headache
- Body aches and muscle pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- A distinctive rash
To mitigate the risk of infection, the Department of Public Health urges residents to secure their homes and protect their pets. Key recommendations include using year-round flea control on domestic animals, keeping pets indoors when possible, and using EPA-registered insect repellents.
Property maintenance is also critical. Officials advise residents to keep trash cans tightly sealed, remove yard debris where rodents might hide, and seal off crawl spaces to prevent wildlife from nesting under homes.
The department noted that victims in 2025 ranged in age from 1 to 85, indicating that all age groups remain at risk. Anyone experiencing symptoms, particularly after potential exposure to fleas or wildlife, should seek medical attention immediately. Further information on how to prevent flea-borne typhus is located on the Public Health website.
