Flea Borne Typhus Surges to Record Level in Los Angeles County
flea borne typhus has reached a record level in Los Angeles County, with public health officials warning pet owners and residents to take precautions now. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health identified 220 cases in 2025, up from 187 in 2024, and nearly 9 out of 10 infected people required hospitalization. Officials say the outbreaks have been concentrated in Central Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and Willowbrook near Compton.
Record cases and hospitalizations
The rise in flea borne typhus is part of a longer upward trend in the county, where cases increased from 141 in 2021 to 171 in 2022, dipped to 124 in 2023, and then climbed again in 2024 before reaching the current high. Public health officials say the 2025 cases ranged in age from 1 to 85, showing that every age group remains vulnerable.
Officials say the disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi. Fleas can become infected after biting animals such as rats, stray cats, or opossums, and the infection can pass to humans when flea dirt is rubbed into cuts, scrapes, or the eyes. Public health officials also emphasize that the disease is not spread from person to person.
Where the outbreaks are being investigated
Cases have been reported across the county, but investigators identified three localized outbreaks in 2025. The affected areas are Central Los Angeles, Santa Monica, and the unincorporated neighborhood of Willowbrook near Compton. Officials say people who live outdoors or live in housing infested with rats or other rodents face a high risk, but they also stress that everyone is at risk of contracting flea borne typhus.
Typhus cases can occur year-round, but public health officials say they tend to peak in late summer and fall when warmer weather increases flea activity. That seasonal pattern makes prevention especially important as conditions shift.
What officials want residents and pet owners to do
Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer, said, “Flea-borne typhus can cause serious illness, but it is preventable with simple steps. ” He added that with cases at an all-time high and most requiring hospitalization, people should use flea control on pets, avoid contact with stray animals, and keep wildlife from living in or around homes.
Officials are also urging residents to keep pets indoors when possible, use EPA-registered insect repellents, keep trash cans tightly sealed, remove yard debris where rodents may hide, and seal crawl spaces to block nesting under homes. The county says infected fleas are commonly found on stray animals, rodents, and other wildlife, and they can be carried indoors on pets or other animals.
What happens next
Public health officials are continuing to track the outbreaks and urge anyone with symptoms after possible exposure to fleas or wildlife to seek medical attention immediately. With flea borne typhus now at a record level in Los Angeles County, the next phase will likely focus on prevention at home, in neighborhoods with rodent activity, and among pets that may have been exposed outdoors.
