The Long Beach Health Department has announced an above average number of reported flea-borne typhus cases thus far in 2025, along with a series of preventive measures for residents to prevent infection.
Typhus is a bacterial disease spread to people via infected fleas often carried by rats, opossums, community cats and other animals, though it is not spread from person-to-person. It is considered to be always present in parts of Los Angeles and Orange Counties, though cases have been reported in other areas of California as well. Symptoms include high fever, headache, chills, body aches/pain and rash and it is treatable with antibiotics.
As of July 31, 20 cases have been reported in Long Beach, with 75% of the infections leading to hospitalization, though all individuals have since recovered. At this point in 2024 there had been 12 reported typhus cases. On average, 20 cases get reported annually citywide, meaning Long Beach is currently on pace to surpass its record of 28 typhus cases in a single year, set in 2021.
According to the California Department of Public Health, there were 70 confirmed cases of human flea-borne typhus in California in 2024, almost more than double the number of confirmed cases in 2023 (36). Since 2016, the highest number of confirmed typhus cases in the state came in 2018 when there were 99 confirmed cases.
Typhus can occur year round, but cases are primarily reported during summer and fall. To prevent typhus infection, the Health Department recommends Long Beach residents do the following:
- Keep pets indoors and treat them regularly for flea control medication.
- Avoid feeding or interacting with wild animals (such as rats, opossums or cats).
- Clear overgrown vegetation and clutter around homes.
- 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.
Residents who think they may have typhus are advised to talk with a local healthcare provider about testing and treatment.
The Health Department continues to monitor the typhus threat through disease surveillance, case investigation and collaboration with local healthcare providers. The Department’s Vector Control Program is working to mitigate the spread by supplying assessments and education to affected areas and community education efforts have been undertaken to apprise residents of potential risks and protection tips.
To learn more, visit longbeach.gov/typhus or contact lbepi@longbeach.gov. Residents can also follow the Health Department on Facebook, X and Instagram for local updates.
