LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County health officials are sounding the alarm after reporting a record 220 cases of flea-borne typhus in 2025, the highest number ever documented in the county, with nearly 90% of infected individuals requiring hospitalization.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health announced the surge Thursday, highlighting a continued upward trend from 187 cases in 2024 and marking a sharp increase from previous years. The bacterial infection, transmitted primarily through fleas carried by rats, free-roaming cats and opossums, has prompted urgent calls for residents to protect themselves and their pets through simple preventive measures.

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

Flea-borne typhus, also known as murine typhus, is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi. It is not spread person-to-person but occurs when bacteria from infected flea feces enter the body through cuts, scratches or mucous membranes, often after contact with flea-infested animals or their environments. Symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after exposure and include fever, headache, rash, body aches, nausea and vomiting. While treatable with antibiotics like doxycycline, delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications, explaining the high hospitalization rate observed last year.

Health officials noted that cases were reported countywide in 2025, with three localized outbreaks investigated in Central Los Angeles City, the City of Santa Monica and the unincorporated community of Willowbrook in South Los Angeles County. The disease affects people of all ages, with confirmed cases ranging from 1 to 85 years old. Many exposures happen around the home, as pets or wildlife bring fleas indoors on their fur or through yard debris.

The record........

© International Business Times