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.
LETTER:
Letter to Mayors and City
Managers--Guidance on actions for cities
to help prevent endemic flea-borne
typhus infections
(3-22-19)
PRESS RELEASE:
Update on Flea-Borne Typhus in Los Angeles County
(2-7-19)
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)
Typhus Data:
Number of Typhus Cases
in LA County*
Excludes Long Beach and
Pasadena
|
|
|
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019** |
2020** |
5 Year
Average+ |
Total
Count |
31 |
38 |
49 |
68 |
44 |
54 |
47 |
67 |
109 |
93 |
51 |
74 |
*Totals are
provisional and subject
to change
**Update as of 12/4/20.
Updates on hold due to
public health emergency.
+Years 2015-2019 |
Number of
Typhus Cases
by
Outbreak Location, LAC** |
|
|
2018 |
|
DTLA |
20 |
|
Willowbrook |
7 |
|
**Final update as of 7/6/19 |
Resources:
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
English Spanish
Flea-borne Typhus: Protect Yourself, Protect Your Neighbors
English
Spanish
CDC Fact Sheet - Flea-borne Typhus: What you need to know
English
Spanish
Korean
Japanese
Tagalog
Chinese
Typhus Tri-fold
Informational Brochure
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
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
