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Los Angeles, CA. (CBS) – A flea-typhus outbreak has hit downtown Los Angeles, the county's Department of Public Health said Thursday. Health officials said they were investigating several cases of the disease, according to which infected fleas can be transmitted to humans, reported CBS Los Angeles.
Although fleas can come from cats, rats and opossums, pets and animals do not get sick from typhus.
In humans, however, typhus can cause high fever, chills, headaches, and rashes. It is not transmitted from person to person and can be treated with antibiotics.
"Although typhus occurs normally in Los Angeles County, we are seeing several cases in downtown Los Angeles," Los Angeles County health officer Muntu Davis said in a statement. "We encourage pet owners to practice flea control safely and all towns in the county to ensure the maintenance of their garbage and rodent control activities."
Typhus can spread to areas where accumulations of litter are likely to attract wild animals such as wildcats, rats and opossums.
To help prevent typhus, the ministry recommended that residents:
Practice flea control safely
Use flea control products on pets
Wear pants in socks or boots when you are outside; Spray an insect repellent with DEET on the socks and wrists of the pants
Avoid being near wild or stray animals
Never feed or touch wild animals, especially opossums, rats and stray or wild cats
Store waste in boxes with secure lids to avoid attracting animals
Clear areas where rats and stray animals sleep, hide or find food such as crawl spaces, attics or under bridges; Wear gloves and a mask when cleaning these areas
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