Flea-borne typhus outbreak in Pico-Union prompts warning from LA County health officials

PICO-UNION, LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- Los Angeles County health officials Wednesday reported a localized outbreak of flea-borne typhus in the Pico-Union neighborhood, where five people have become ill this year. All five people were hospitalized but have since recovered, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. Officials said the outbreak comes as flea-borne typhus cases continue to increase countywide. People are often exposed to the disease in and around their homes when infected fleas are carried indoors on pets or other animals, officials said. In Los Angeles County, infected fleas are commonly found on rats, free- roaming cats and opossums.

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