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According to Karen Garcia of the Los Angeles Times, flea-borne typhus infections are on the rise again across Southern California, with Los Angeles County already reporting 79 cases in 2025 — a pace that could rival the 187 reported last year. In Long Beach, the trend is particularly worrying. Officials there have confirmed 20 cases so far this year, compared to just 12 at the same time in 2024.
Flea-borne typhus is a disease caused by Rickettsia typhi, a bacteria transmitted by fleas that bite infected rats, stray cats, or opossums. Humans can become infected when flea feces enters the body through a cut, scrape, or even the eyes. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and a tell-tale rash, and in rare cases it can cause serious complications like meningitis or endocarditis. Most patients recover fully with antibiotics — but hospitalization is common, as seen in at least 75% of Long Beach’s cases this year…