FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. (KABC) — A public health advisory has been posted in Fountain Valley after a case of flea-borne typhus was detected near the intersection of Slater Avenue and Magnolia Street.
“Most of the animals that spread disease are cold-blooded, so they become more active as temperatures rise,” explained Brian Brannon with Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control.
“It’s transmitted by flea feces and waste, so when you scratch yourself, the feces gets into your bloodstream.”
There have been five confirmed cases of flea-borne typhus in Orange County this year, with the most recent case reported in Fountain Valley earlier this month, and cases reported in Santa Ana in January and June.
Another case was found in Anaheim in July, and a fourth case was reported in Garden Grove earlier this month.
“If you examine dead animals and test the fleas for the presence of disease, you’re bound to find typhus,” Brannon said.
Typhus cannot be spread from person to person, but officials warn that pets can carry fleas that can transmit the disease.
“Possums are a big source of flea-borne typhus,” Brannon said. “Cats can also transmit typhus, so we strongly recommend that you don’t feed stray cats. And don’t pet stray cats, that’s going to get you in trouble.”
Symptoms of typhus include fever, rash and severe headache. Most cases are mild, but some may require hospitalization.
“Typhoid can be a deadly disease, so we really need to be careful,” Brannon said.
No deaths have been reported among the cases discovered in Orange County.
OC Vector recommends keeping your pet’s flea medication up to date, using insect repellent when outdoors and cleaning up trash and food scraps around the home that may attract animals.
People are urged to call animal control if they see a dead animal in their area.
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