As per reports, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LADPH) has issued a formal warning as of Saturday (04 April) regarding a record surge in flea-borne typhus cases across the region.
• Health officials have confirmed 220 cases of flea-borne typhus for the 2025-2026 period, marking the highest number ever recorded in Los Angeles County.
• Localized outbreaks have been specifically identified and investigated in the City of Santa Monica, the Central Los Angeles City area, and the Willowbrook neighborhood.
• The disease is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia typhi and is transmitted to humans through contact with infected flea feces (flea dirt) via skin abrasions or the eyes.
• The affected areas include Santa Monica, Central Los Angeles, Willowbrook, and broader residential zones across Los Angeles County where urban wildlife and stray animal populations are prevalent.
