Attention pet parents: Los Angeles County is reporting a record number of flea-borne typhus cases.
Public health officials are warning pet owners to take precautions for themselves and their four-legged family members. Don’t worry: There are a few simple steps you can take to prevent flea-borne typhus infection.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health identified 220 cases of flea-borne typhus last year, a significant increase of 187 cases by 2024.
In the total number of cases by 2025, about nine out of ten people infected with typhus will need to be hospitalized, according to public health officials.
Flea-borne typhus is caused by bacteria Rickettsia typhi. Fleas become infected when they bite infected animals such as rats, stray cats or opossums, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Once infected, fleas spread the disease to humans when flea feces are rubbed into cuts or scratches on the skin or eyes.
The number of typhus cases in the region has increased since 2021, when there were 141 recorded cases, rising to 171 in 2022. There was a slight decrease in 2023 with 124 cases, but the number rebounded in 2024.
Typhus hotspots in Los Angeles County
Cases have been reported throughout Los Angeles County, but authorities have identified three local outbreaks in 2025.
The outbreak is in central Los Angeles, Santa Monica and the unincorporated area of Willowbrook near Compton, according to public health officials.
Why last year’s numbers matter today
Typhus cases occur throughout the year but tend to increase in the late summer and fall months because warmer weather increases the activity of the insects.
Who is at risk of contracting typhus from fleas?
Everyone is at risk of contracting typhus.
The age of people infected with the virus in Los Angeles by 2025 is from 1 to 85, according to public health officials.
People who live outdoors or in homes infested with rats or other rodents are at a higher risk of contracting the disease, according to public health officials.
How to protect yourself and your pet
Usually, people are exposed to the disease when infected fleas are carried by pets or other animals.
Fleas that spread typhus are often found on stray animals, rats and other wild animals, according to public health officials.
What you can do to protect yourself and your pets:
- Use flea control year-round on your pets.
- Do not feed or pet stray animals.
- Do not attract wildlife to your property; make sure the lids of your rubbish bins are closed and prevent any entry or hiding places. Avoid leaving pet food outside.
What to do if you get typhus
Symptoms appear within one to two weeks after infection.
Symptoms of flea-borne typhus infection include fever, headache, chills, body aches and a rash on the chest, sides and back.
The disease is treatable with antibiotics, and early detection helps prevent serious illness and hospitalization.
Deaths from flea-borne typhus are rare, but they do occur in Los Angeles County. In 2022, three people died from the disease; they were all adults with underlying conditions.
If you have any of the symptoms of typhus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.
