A North Texas city is seeing an increase in cases of flea-borne typhus, a bacterial disease transmitted by fleas.
Collin County Health Care Services announced last week that McKinney is seeing an increase in flea-borne typhus cases.
The Lone Star State annually reports the highest number of flea-borne typhus cases in the country, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Here’s what to know about the disease:
What is flea-borne typhus?
Flea-borne typhus is a rickettsial disease caused by a bacteria called — Rickettsia typhi.
Infected fleas carried by rats, cats, opossums, dogs and other small mammals can spread the disease, according to the DSHS. The disease is also known as “murine” or “endemic” typhus.
The most common fleas that transmit flea-borne typhus are the Xenopsylla cheopis (rat flea) and Ctenocephalides felis (cat flea).
How is flea-borne typhus transmitted?
To get flea-borne typhus, you will need to come in contact with an infected flea.
Most fleas defecate while biting, including those infected with the rickettsial bacteria, according to the DSHS . The bacteria can enter the body through a flea bite wound or from a person scratching the bite area.
You can also contract flea-borne typhus by inhaling contaminated, dried flea feces, although this method is less common than the biting method.
What are the symptoms of flea-borne typhus?
Once the flea-borne typhus enters your body, it has an incubation period of 6-14 days. A few symptoms include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Body aches
- Chills
- Rash
Around five to six days after symptoms begin, a rash may appear on the trunk of your body and spread to your arms and legs, according to the DSHS.
Doctors can test for flea-borne typhus because if left untreated, the disease may last for months. With delayed diagnosis and treatments, the disease can result in hospitalization.
Flea-borne typhus can be treated with antibiotics in most cases.
Are there ways to prevent flea-borne typhus?
Yes, there are a few things. The DSHS recommends the following:
- Clean yard so rodents, opossums and other stray animals cannot live there.
- Remove any brush or trash, keep grass mowed and keep firewood off the group.
- Don’t leave pet food out at night.
- Prevent rodents from entering the home.
- Treat for fleas before beginning rodent control on the house or yard since the fleas will search for new hosts when rodents die.
- Check pets for fleas regularly.
Does Texas really have the most flea-borne typhus cases in the country?
Yes, Texas reported 5,867 cases of flea-borne typhus from 2008 to 2022. In total, 70% of cases were hospitalized with 13 fatal.
The highest number of counties reporting cases are in South Texas in Nueces, Cameron and Hidalgo Counties, according to DSHS data . North Texas is also emerging as a hot spot for cases.
Tarrant County reported 211 cases of flea-borne typhus from 2008 to 2022. The greatest number of cases reported in the county were in 2021 (48) and 2022 (70).
Dallas County reported 190 cases from 2008 to 2022, while Collin County only had three cases.
To report cases or for more information, residents can contact Collin Collin County Health Care Services at 972-548-4707.
Most Popular
Comments / 0