Flea-borne typhus cases surge in LA's Pico-Union, officials urge prevention

A significant increase in flea-borne typhus has been identified in the Pico-Union area of Los Angeles, prompting a county-wide investigation by the LA County Department of Public Health. So far this year, five individuals from the neighborhood have required hospital care, though all have since recovered. The outbreak occurs against a backdrop of rising cases across the county, which recorded a historic 220 infections in 2025, surpassing the 187 reported in 2024.

Typhus, caused by the Rickettsia typhi bacterium, is transmitted when flea feces containing the pathogen enter the body through skin abrasions or the eyes, typically carried indoors by pets or stray animals. Common carriers include rats, free-roaming cats and opossums, which often appear healthy. While the disease cannot spread from person to person, early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment are effective. County Health Officer Muntu Davis urges residents to maintain year-round flea control on pets, keep animals indoors, eliminate wildlife habitats around homes, and report concerns to animal control.