You may have heard in the news as of 10/8/18, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating 57 cases of Typhus reported in Los Angeles County, with 20 in Pasadena, 4 times the usual number of people.
Typhus is a bacterial infection that can infect people through inhalation, ingestion or when an open skin wound comes in contact with flea feces (“flea dirt”). While animals remain asymptomatic, humans may develop fever, muscle aches, nausea, cough, altered mental status, and a truncal rash. Although treatable with an antibiotic and usually self-limiting, human fatalities have been reported.
You can prevent Typhus by keeping fleas away with regular use of pet safe products. There are many: So, feel free to discuss the choices with us. And remember fleas transmit other diseases as well!
References:
CNN Typhus Epidemic Los Angeles 10/8/18
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Murine Typhus 3/7/17
County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, Answers to Your Questions About Endemic Typhus Fever
Medicine.net Typhus Treatment, Symptoms & Causes
Webmd: California Typhus Outbreak Continues to Grow 10/10/18