The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has declared a new localized outbreak of flea-borne typhus in the Wilshire Center neighborhood, where seven symptomatic cases have been identified. This outbreak comes amidst a record-high surge of the disease countywide. Six of the seven individuals in the Wilshire Center cluster required hospitalization, though all have recovered, as reported by ColoradoBoulevard.net.
KTLA reports that there have been 109 cases reported in the county this year alone. They quote Dr. Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County Health Officer: “Community members can help protect themselves and their neighbors by keeping pets on flea control year-round, rodent proofing their homes and making sure wildlife cannot live in or around their homes. Simple steps can prevent serious illness.” Davis works under the director of the LACDPH Barbara Ferrer, who is not a medical doctor.
The LACDPH would not answer a question about whether or not homelessness was connected to this outbreak.
OnLAca.com reported on this Typhus threat in April–and Dr. Drew Pinsky warned about it on KABC radio in 2018!
Dr. Drew raised awareness nearly 10 year ago.
Background from the LACDPH: Flea-borne typhus cases have been rising in Los Angeles County since 2010. In 2025, Public Health reported a record 220 cases, the highest number ever recorded in the County. Cases occurred among people ranging in age from one to 85 years, highlighting that people of all age groups are at risk. This follows 187 reported cases in 2024 and reflects a sustained upward trend in recent years.
While this outbreak has not been reported to be among the homeless, it is irrefutable that homeless encampments breed rats. Rats infect fleas. Fleas traffic typhus to, well our pets, then you and me. The city has failed under Karen Bass as the homeless population multiplies. We are in danger of a treacherous health crisis, made by the refusal of the electeds to get the homeless off the streets.
AI helped compile this story
