Archive · 14 Sep 2025
Flea-borne Typhus on the Rise in Texas
Imagine tiny bugs called fleas carrying germs that make you sick.
This illness, flea-borne typhus, is spreading in places like Texas.
You get it from flea bites.
It starts like the flu with a fever and headache, sometimes with a rash.
Doctors give medicine called doxycycline, which usually makes people better quickly.
To stay safe, use bug spray, keep your yard clean, and get rid of fleas on pets.
It's important to see a doctor if you feel sick and think you might have typhus.
Flea-borne typhus cases are increasing in Texas, California, and Hawaii.
The disease is caused by a bacteria transmitted through flea bites.
Symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and potentially a rash.
Doxycycline is the recommended treatment for typhus.
Prevention includes controlling fleas, rodents, and using insect repellent.
- Who
- People bitten by infected fleas
- What
- Sharp rise in flea-borne typhus cases
- When
- Symptoms appear 6-14 days after infection
- Where
- Texas, California, Hawaii
- Why
- Warmer temperatures and booming rat populations
- Disease
- Flea-borne typhus
- Cause
- Bacterium Rickettsia typhi
- Transmission
- Flea bites or exposure to flea waste
- Symptoms
- Fever, headache, muscle aches, rash
- Treatment
- Doxycycline antibiotic
- Prevention
- Flea control, rodent control, insect repellent