(Santa Ana) – Three human cases of endemic (murine) typhus have recently been reported to the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA), with health officials advising the public to reduce their risk of the illness by controlling fleas in and around their homes and keeping their homes and yards free of conditions that attract wild animals.

Of the reported cases, two are residents of Westminster (one adult and one juvenile) and the other is a resident of Huntington Beach (an adult). While all three were initially hospitalized for treatment of the illness, they have since been released from the hospital and are recovering.

Endemic typhus occurs naturally in Southern California, with two cases reported in Orange County earlier this year. In addition, cases have been reported in recent years in the City of Long Beach and other locations in Los Angeles County. Endemic typhus is transmitted by the bite of infected fleas that may be found on opossums, rodents and cats. Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle ache and rash. It is not transmitted from person to person, and is treatable with antibiotics. Diagnosis of typhus is made through a blood test.

Orange County residents can help prevent typhus cases by taking simple precautions around their home and yard. These precautions include:

• Treating pets and other domestic animals regularly with flea prevention medication

• Avoiding contact with opossums, rodents, feral cats and other animals that could harbor fleas

• Sealing off openings to attics and crawl spaces and keeping vent screens in good repair to prevent wild animals from gaining access to houses and other structures

• Reporting dead opossums, cats or other animals to your local Animal Control agency for removal

• Removing or trimming overgrown vegetation or ground cover where wild animals may hide or nest

• Keeping trash cans covered at all times and eliminating outdoor food and water sources including pet food, bird feeders, and fallen fruit from trees.
   

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