Home / Health / LA County Sees Record Typhus Cases
LA County Sees Record Typhus Cases
3 Apr
Summary
- Los Angeles County reported a record 220 flea-borne typhus cases in 2025.
- Central Los Angeles City, Santa Monica, and Willowbrook were most affected areas.
- Infected fleas are commonly carried by stray animals, rodents, and wildlife.
Los Angeles County has reported its highest number of flea-borne typhus cases on record, with 220 cases in 2025. This figure represents an increase from the 187 cases documented in 2024, indicating a continuing upward trend. The most heavily impacted areas within the county included Central Los Angeles City, Santa Monica, and Willowbrook.
Public health officials attribute the rise in cases to fleas, commonly found on stray animals, rodents, and wildlife such as opossums, carrying the disease indoors. While flea-borne typhus is treatable with antibiotics, approximately 90% of those diagnosed last year required hospitalization. The county health officer advises simple preventative steps to combat the illness, which can cause serious illness.
Key preventive measures recommended include maintaining flea control on pets, avoiding direct contact with stray animals, and securing homes and yards to deter wildlife. Additionally, individuals are advised not to leave pet food outdoors, refrain from feeding or touching free-roaming animals, keep landscaping trimmed, and secure trash containers. Symptoms of typhus typically appear within one to two weeks post-infection and can include fever, headache, rash, and body aches.
