LA County Tackles Flea-Borne Typhus Outbreak with Cleanup Plan

Supervisors approve measures to reduce risk factors like trash, overgrown vegetation, and homeless encampments.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 1:20am

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A highly detailed, translucent X-ray photograph of a flea, its internal structures glowing against a dark background, conceptually representing the public health challenge of flea-borne diseases.An X-ray view of a flea, the vector for the rise in flea-borne typhus cases in Los Angeles County.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a plan to address a rise in flea-borne typhus cases, which reached a record high of 220 cases in 2025. The plan involves coordinating efforts across multiple county departments to clear streets and sidewalks of trash, maintain vegetation, and address issues like free-roaming animals and homeless encampments that contribute to the spread of the disease.

Why it matters

Flea-borne typhus is a serious illness that can lead to long hospital stays, and the rise in cases in LA County has become a public health concern. The board's action aims to reduce the risk factors that allow the disease to spread, protecting the health and safety of residents.

The details

In 2024, there were 187 cases of flea-borne typhus in LA County, and in 2025 that number rose to 220 cases. So far in 2026, 17 cases have been recorded as of March 20. The disease is spread by infected fleas that live on animals like cats, opossums, and rodents. Conditions like illegal dumping, overgrown vegetation, free-roaming animals, and homeless encampments contribute to the spread of the disease.

  • In 2024, there were 187 cases of flea-borne typhus in LA County.
  • In 2025, there were 220 cases, a record high.
  • As of March 20, 2026, 17 cases have been recorded so far this year.

The players

Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Los Angeles County that unanimously approved the plan to address the rise in flea-borne typhus cases.

Dr. Barbara Ferrar

Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, who explained that the disease is spread by infected fleas on free-roaming animals like cats, opossums, and rodents.

Supervisor Holly Mitchell

The LA County Supervisor who presented the motion that was unanimously approved by the board.

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What they’re saying

“There's more food and shelter for pets and for animals. There's a lot of trash and outdoor clutter that allows rats and opossums to thrive. We have an issue here with free-roaming animals, unmanaged stray populations, and feeding of wildlife brings flea-carrying animals right to our doorsteps.”

— Dr. Barbara Ferrar, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

“Though flea-borne typhus is readily treated with antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery with the right diagnosis and treatment, it is still a serious disease and can cause long hospitalization stays.”

— Dr. Barbara Ferrar, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

What’s next

The County's Department of Public Health will coordinate with various other departments, including public works, homeless services, animal control, and parks and recreation, to implement the approved measures to reduce the risk factors contributing to the spread of flea-borne typhus.

The takeaway

The rise in flea-borne typhus cases in LA County has become a significant public health concern, prompting the Board of Supervisors to take decisive action. By addressing issues like illegal dumping, overgrown vegetation, and homeless encampments, the county aims to reduce the risk factors that allow the disease to spread and protect the health and safety of its residents.