Vile flea-borne vomiting illness hits LA neighborhood as urgent warning issued

A major outbreak of flea-borne typhus is being investigated in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Pico-Union as cases continue to rise across the broader county.

The LA County Department of Public Health, which is leading the investigation, identified five symptomatic cases linked to the outbreak so far this year. All five cases resulted in hospitalization, and all the patients have recovered.

Typhus is a severe febrile bacterial infection caused by the Rickettsia typhi bacteria, which is spread by infected fleas. Infection commonly occurs when flea feces containing the bacteria enters the body through cuts in the skin or is rubbed into the eyes.

The outbreak, along with the overall increase in infections, is especially concerning because of how severe the illness can become. Nearly nine out of 10 people diagnosed with flea-borne typhus in 2025 required hospitalization.

Cases in Los Angeles County have been rising since 2010. In 2025, the Department of Public Health identified a 220 cases, the highest number ever recorded in the county. That was an increase from 187 reported cases in 2024. Those affected ranged in age from 1 to 85 years old.

“As flea-borne typhus cases continue to increase across Los Angeles County, preventing exposure to infected fleas is more important than ever,” said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer. “Community members can help protect themselves and their neighbors by keeping pets on flea control year-round, avoiding stray animals, and making sure wildlife cannot live in or around their homes.”

The Department of Public Health said people are often exposed to typhus around their homes, when infected fleas are carried indoors by pets or other animals. In LA County, fleas are commonly found on rats, free-roaming cats, and opossums.

Infected animals typically don’t appear to be ill, so people sometimes don’t realize they’re at risk because. However, flea-borne typhus isn’t contagious from person to person.

Symptoms of typhus typically appear within one to two weeks after infection and may include fever, headache, rash and body aches. Anyone experiencing symptoms is advised to seek medical care immediately.

Flea-borne typhus can be treated with antibiotics when diagnosed early and is also preventable. 

The Department of Public Health recommend that people protect themselves and their pets by using flea-control products, keeping pets indoors, avoiding wild or stray animals, keeping yards free of debris and trash and reporting concerns to animal control, among other preventive measures.