Second 2026 LA Typhus Cluster in Wilshire Center Hospitalizes Six
Los Angeles County health officials are investigating a new flea-borne typhus outbreak in the Wilshire Center neighborhood after seven people fell ill and six were hospitalized. This is the second localized cluster reported in 2026, following an earlier incident in Pico-Union. The outbreak occurs against a backdrop of record-breaking typhus cases in the county, with 109 reported so far this year and 220 in 2025. Health experts attribute the rise to flea exposure linked to rats, stray cats, and opossums, urging residents to maintain year-round pet flea control and prevent wildlife from entering homes.