Acute Communicable Disease Control

Flea-Borne (Endemic) Typhus

Typhus refers to a group of infectious diseases that are caused by rickettsial organisms and result in an acute febrile illness. The principle diseases of this group are epidemic (or louse-borne) typhus, flea-borne (or endemic) typhus, and scrub typhus.

Flea-borne typhus (sometimes called murine typhus) is the only one of these diseases naturally occurring in LA County and is caused by two bacteria Rickettsia typhi and R. felis. Flea-borne typhus can spread to humans from bacteria found in infected fleas. Infection happens when the feces from infected fleas are rubbed into cuts or scrapes in the skin or rubbed into the eyes.

Symptoms can start within two weeks after contact with the infected flea and include high fever, headache, chills, and body aches. A rash can appear on the chest, back, arms, or legs. In rare cases, there may be swelling at the lining of the brain (meningitis) and heart valves (endocarditis). Fatalities are uncommon, occurring in less than 1% of cases. The disease is typically mild in young children. Typhus infection is not vaccine preventable, but can be treated with antibiotics.

LAC DPH HEALTH ALERT UPDATE: Outbreaks of Flea-Borne Typhus Los Angeles County (10-12-18)

LAC DPH HEALTH ALERT: Outbreak of Flea-Borne Typhus in Downtown Los Angeles (10-4-18)

PRESS RELEASE: Public Health Reports Several Cases of Flea-Borne Typhus
(10-4-18)

SIGN UP: To receive the free weekly emailed West Nile Virus and Other Arboviral Diseases Report (published during WNV season) email: ACDC2@ph.lacounty.gov 


Resources:

Typhus Frequently Asked Questions   English / Spanish

Typhus Tips for Prevention English / Spanish

Occupational Health FAQs   English / Spanish

Typhus Infographic   English / Spanish

REPORTING
Flea-borne typhus and other rickettsial infections are reportable in California. Reporting of cases guides the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to target surveillance activities and health education. A standard Confidential Morbidity Report (CMR) can be used to file a report; the CMR may be faxed to the DPH Morbidity Unit at (888) 397-3778 or (213) 482-5508. You may also report cases by telephone during normal business hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to (888) 397-3993. For cases among residents of the cities of Long Beach or Pasadena, please contact their local health departments.

TESTING: Typhus Testing Information for Health Professionals at the LAC DPH Laboratory


Special Studies Report (2015)
Multi-Agency Response to a Flea-Borne Typhus Outbreak Associated with a Mobile Home Community

Additional Resources

• Flea-borne Typhus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)  English  Spanish 
• Flea-borne Typhus Brochure  
• Flea-borne Typhus: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Neighbors  English  Spanish 
• Typhus Cases by Year, Los Angeles County 2001-2014
• Los Angeles County: Annual Morbidity Reports (2001-2016) 
• LAC: Reported Cases of Selected Diseases (2011-2016) 
• LAC: Reported Cases of Selected Diseases (2005-2010) 
• LAC: Reported Cases of Selected Diseases (1999-2004) 
• ACDC: A Manual of Department Rules, Regulations and Control Procedures (B73)  
• Typhus Cases, LAC Map: 2014 
• Typhus Cases, LAC Map: 2000-11 
• Typhus and Other Non-Spotted Fever Rickettsioses Case Report: CDPH 8580
  • LA County Epidemiological Reporting Forms (web page) 
• Murine Typhus: An Unrecognized Suburban Vectorborne Disease, Civen, Rachel, and Ngo, Van; Clinical Infections Diseases 2008;46:913-8 
• A Suburban Neighborhood Outbreak of Murine Typhus - South Pasadena, May 2005 (2005 Special Study) 
• CDPH: Flea-borne Typhus