Flea Borne Typhus AlertHealth Dept. sees typhus uptick in LA County I abc7.com
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BURBANK, Calif. (ICABC) -- Health officials are trying to stop the spread of the potentially deadly disease
Typhus, primarily transmitted by fleas.
"Murine typhus, which is a disease transmitted primarily by fleas, has been slowly increasing in Los Angeles
County," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, director of the L.A. County Department of Health. "It is not an epidemic.
We had a total of 38 cases reported last year. We've had 15 confirmed this year and another 17 that we're
investigating."
Health officials say people can get typhus when their pets come in contact with wild, flea- infested animals like
possums, rats, feral cats and others.
"And some of the fleas have moved from those animals to your animals," said Fielding.
If one of those fleas from your pet bites you, you could end up with typhus.
Health officials say the symptoms of typhus are similar to a bad case of the flu: headaches, high fever, chills,
muscle aches and more. Another sign of typhus is a rather large rash that can break out over your body.
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Health Dept. sees typhus uptick in LA County I abc7.com Page 4 of 10
"The good news is when it's diagnosed it's very treatable with antibiotics," said Fielding.
At least one human infection had been confirmed so far this year in Burbank, and two have been verified in the
San Fernando Valley. Another three cases are under investigation, according to public health officials.
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In Los Angeles County, 15 cases of typhus have been confirmed so far this year, while another 17 were still
under investigation, according to Fielding.
The latest infections are part of a trend in which county officials have noticed a slight increase in flea -bome
typhus cases over the past five to six years.
The health department urges residents to protect themselves, their families, and their neighbors from flea -borne
typhus by following a few simple guidelines:
1. Consult your veterinarian regarding safe flea control medications for your pets.
2. Keep your home and yard in good repair by removing overgrown vegetation and debris where rodents,
possums, and feral (wild) cats may hide. Keep screens on crawl space covers and vents in good repair.
3. Avoid contact with animals that carry fleas. Do not attempt to capture and relocate these animals to other
areas.
4. Eliminate all food and water sources around your home, including open trash cans, fallen fruit around the
yard, pet food, and bird feeders.
5. When cleaning nesting areas of rats and possums, spray area with disinfectant, and wear protective clothing
and equipment (i.e., mask, goggles, gloves).
6. When treating your yard or animal harborage areas with insecticides, only use products labeled for flea
control and follow all directions carefully.
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KTLA News
11:07 P M. PDT, Auguel 22, 2012
BURBANK, Calif. (KTLA) — Health officials have
confirmed four people have contracted Mudne
typhus In Burbank.
Two cases originated in the 700 block of
Screen land Drive.
Both of those men were Vested at local hospitals
and released
Four cases of Typhus have been material in Burbank(KTIA -TV)
Sign up for KTLA S Breaking News Email Alerts
Topics _.__._._— ___.___ _
• Vral Diseases and Infections
Mudne typhus is also called endemic typhus and is transmitted by
peas.
While rat flees are the most common transmitters, cat fleas and mouse fleas can also transrrnt the Mudne typhus
YINS.
People can protect themselves from flea -bome typhus by following these guidelines
1. Consult your veterinarian regarding safe gem control medications for your pets.
2. Keep your home and yard in good repair by removing overgrown vegetation and debris where rodents,
possums, and feral (wild) sets may hide. Keep screens on crawl space covers and vents in good repair.
1 Avoid contact with animals that carry fleas. Do not attempt to rapture and relocate these animals to other areas.
4. Eliminate all food and water sources around your home, including open (rash cans, fallen fruit around the yard,
pet food, and bird feeders.
5. When cleaning nesting areas of rats and possums, spray area with disinfectant, and wear protective clothing
and equipment (i.e., mask, goggles, gloves).
6. When treating your yard or animal harborage areas with Insecticides. only use products labeled for flea control
POPULARSMMES LOCALNF.WS NATIONNJORLD
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KTLA Naves
11:07 0.m. PDT, August 22, 2012
BURBANK, Callf. (KTLA) — Health officials have
confirmed four people have contracted Mudne
typhus In Burbank.
Two cases originated in the 700 block of
Screenland Dave.
Both of those men were treated at local hospitals
and released.
Four mass of Typhus have been confirmed in Burbank (KTLA-TV)
Sign up for KTLA 6 Breaking News Email Alerts
Topics
e Viral Diseases and Infections
Mudne typhus Is also called endemic typhus and is trorwmifletl by
fleas.
While rat fleas are the most common transmitters, cat fleas and mouse fleas can also transmit the Mudne typhus
virus.
People can protect themselves from flea -bome typhus by following these guidelines:
1. Consult your velennanan regarding safe flea control medications for your pets.
2. Keep your home and yard in good repair by removing overgrown vegetation and debris where rodents,
possums, and feral (wild) cats may hide. Keep screens on crawl space covers and vents in good repair.
3. Avoid contact with animals that carry fleas. Do not attempt to capture and relocate these animals to other areas.
4. Eliminate all food and water sources around your home, including open Imsh cans, fallen fmn around the yard,
pet food, and bird feeders.
5. When cleaning nesting areas of rats and possums, spray area with disinfsctanl, and wear protective clothing
and equipment (i.e., mask, goggles, gloves).
6. When treating your yard or animal harborage areas with insecticides, only use products labeled for flea control
POPULARSTORIES LOCALNEWS - NATIONNJORLD
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