{"id":716154,"date":"2026-04-09T17:05:21","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:05:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/716154\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:05:21","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T17:05:21","slug":"grim-victorian-disease-makes-an-alarming-comeback","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/716154\/","title":{"rendered":"Grim \u2018Victorian Disease\u2019 Makes an Alarming Comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Illustration<\/p>\n

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast\/Public Domain<\/p>\n

A fast-spreading \u201cVictorian disease<\/a>\u201d rarely associated with the modern era is making a comeback.<\/p>\n

Flea-borne typhus<\/a>, a highly contagious bacterial illness, is raising alarm across Los Angeles County as officials report a sharp rise in cases this year. Typhus is sometimes known as \u201cfamine fever,\u201d \u201cjail fever,\u201d or \u201cwar fever\u201d because it often proliferates during times of crisis.<\/p>\n

In 2025 alone, at least 220 infections were confirmed in L.A., already surpassing the previous year\u2019s total of 187, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The numbers come with an especially troubling detail: roughly 90 percent of infected patients end up hospitalized.<\/p>\n

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The disease is transmitted through infected fleas, often carried by animals such as rats and opossums. Humans can become infected when flea feces enter the body through small cuts or scrapes\u2014or even by rubbing the eyes after contact.<\/p>\n

Pets can unknowingly bring infected fleas into the home, acting as a bridge between wildlife and humans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese cases have been rising year after year. They\u2019re occurring in all areas of our county,\u201d Dr. Aiman Halai, a medical epidemiologist with the county, told ABC News<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Symptoms don\u2019t appear immediately. It can take up to two weeks after exposure for people to start feeling sick\u2014often beginning with fever, chills, body aches, and a rash.<\/p>\n

In more serious cases, patients may start to cough, experience gastrointestinal issues, and display neurological symptoms, such as confusion.<\/p>\n

For an unfortunate subset of patients, some cases can quickly take a turn for the worse. <\/p>\n

\u201cSome patients can develop illnesses where multiple organ systems are involved\u2014 and really can result in death,\u201d Halai warned.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

California is not the only state experiencing a surge in typhus: In 2025, officials warned<\/a> that cases were rising in Texas, too.<\/p>\n

One of the more concerning aspects of the outbreak is how easily it can go unnoticed at first. Animals carrying infected fleas typically show no signs of illness, meaning pet owners may not realize there\u2019s a risk until it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

Health officials are urging residents to take prevention seriously\u2014starting with their furry companions. Flea control methods such as topical treatments, oral medications, and flea collars can help disrupt the flea life cycle and reduce the risk of transmission.<\/p>\n

But the precautions don\u2019t stop there for the rapidly spreading disease.<\/p>\n

Halai also recommends keeping outdoor spaces tidy to avoid attracting rodents and other wildlife that carry infected fleas. Preventative measures include trimming vegetation, clearing clutter, sealing crawl spaces, and ensuring all trash bins are tightly closed.<\/p>\n

Residents are also advised to avoid contact with stray animals, particularly opossums, skunks, raccoons, and rodents.<\/p>\n

Despite the alarming rise in cases, there is some good news: flea-borne typhus is treatable.<\/p>\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a> says most patients respond well to antibiotics\u2014especially when treatment begins early. However, delays in diagnosis can increase the risk of severe illness, making awareness and early action critical.<\/p>\n

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