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Long Beach could see a record number of typhus infections this year. What to know
A magnified left lateral view of a male Oriental rat flea, a species known to spread typhus.
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James Gathany
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Courtesy of CDC via Unsplash
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Topline:
The city of Long Beach reported an uptick in typhus infections, according to health officials. At least 22 typhus cases have been recorded as of August 5, typically the annual average for the beach city.
How does typhus spread? The bacterial disease spreads through infected fleas, mostly found in rats, opossums, dogs and cats. Typhus is not spread person-to-person.
Why it matters: If this trend continues, Long Beach is expected to surpass its 2021 record of 28 cases reported in a single year.
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What to look out for: Symptoms can include high fever, nausea, muscle aches, rash and cough. Typhus is treatable with antibiotics, and people who think they may have it should talk to their healthcare provider. Around three quarters of people who were reported as a case this year were hospitalized and have all recovered.
How can I protect myself and others? The city of Long Beach is asking residents to:
- Keep pets indoors and treat them regularly with flea control medication.
- Avoid feeding or interacting with wild animals.
- Cover trash bins and remove outdoor food sources.
- Seal openings and crawl spaces under homes.
- Report dead animals to Long Beach Animal Care Services at (562) 570-7387.
For more info … visit longbeach.gov/typhus.
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