Six Hospitalized in Los Angeles as Flea-Borne Typhus Outbreak Spreads
Health officials are investigating a cluster of flea-borne typhus cases in Los Angeles' Wilshire Center, which has resulted in six hospitalizations amid a county-wide rise in the disease.
Health authorities are probing a new cluster of flea-borne typhus in the Wilshire Center neighborhood of Los Angeles, where six patients have been admitted to hospitals. The outbreak follows a similar incident earlier this year in the Pico-Union district that sickened five people.
The disease, caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi, is transmitted when infected flea feces enter the body through cuts or the eyes. It is not spread from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics if diagnosed promptly. Symptoms typically appear one to two weeks after exposure and may include fever, headache, vomiting, rash, and muscle aches.
"Really, anyone who has contact with fleas — that's the major exposure," said Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, an infectious disease specialist at USC Keck School of Medicine.
Officials note that fleas commonly hitch rides on rats, stray cats, opossums and other wildlife, and that cases often arise in areas with inadequate sanitation, such as homeless encampments. Residents are advised to keep pets on year-round flea control, avoid handling wild animals, and take steps to deter rodents and other pests from their properties.
Los Angeles County has seen a steady increase in flea-borne typhus, recording a county-wide total of 220 cases in 2025, up from 187 the previous year, with nearly 90% of those requiring hospitalization. An additional 109 cases have been reported so far this year.