
LA County Investigates Second Flea-Borne Typhus Outbreak in Wilshire Center
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating a localized flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Wilshire Center neighborhood after seven people became ill and six were hospitalized. All seven patients have since recovered. This is the second localized typhus outbreak reported in the county this year, following an earlier cluster in Pico-Union. The outbreak occurs amid a record-breaking surge in countywide cases, with 109 reported so far in 2026, up from 220 in 2025. Health officials attribute the rise to rat populations and flea exposure, urging residents to maintain year-round flea control on pets and secure their homes against wildlife.













