Cases of Dangerous Disease ‘as Old as the Plague’ Hit Record High in California

A recent report highlights a sharp rise in flea-borne typhus cases in California, particularly in Los Angeles County, where infections reached record levels in 2025. Health officials reported about 220 cases in the county and 277 statewide, the highest since modern tracking began. Typhus, caused by Rickettsia typhi, spreads through infected flea bites, often linked to rodents, opossums, and stray animals. Symptoms include fever, chills, headaches, cough, and a distinctive rash. While deaths are rare, the illness can be severe, with roughly 90% of patients requiring hospitalization.

Experts attribute the increase to factors such as warmer temperatures boosting flea populations, increased human interaction with wildlife, and sanitation challenges. The disease, once primarily associated with outdoor exposure, is now increasingly linked to pets and residential environments. Officials emphasize prevention through flea control for pets, avoiding stray animals, and limiting wildlife exposure around homes.