Rare Flea Disease Linked to 2 Deaths in Louisiana

LOUISIANA - Most of us worry about mosquitoes during Louisiana's warmer months, but health officials are now warning residents about another tiny pest that could pose a serious health risk.

Louisiana is seeing a sharp increase in cases of flea-borne typhus, a rare bacterial illness that has hospitalized multiple people and has been linked to two deaths since the beginning of 2025. Health experts say the rise in cases is especially noticeable in the Lafayette and Acadiana area.

Louisiana Reports Major Increase In Flea-Borne Typhus Cases

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 17 cases of flea-borne typhus have been identified since the start of 2025. Every patient required hospitalization, and two of those cases were fatal.

To put this into perspective, Louisiana recorded just 21 total cases between 2010 and 2024. That means the state has nearly matched 14 years' worth of cases in a much shorter period of time.

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Health officials say most of the recently identified infections have been reported in the Lafayette, Louisiana and Acadiana region.

What Is Flea-Borne Typhus?

As reported by WAFB, flea-borne typhus is a bacterial disease spread through infected fleas. People typically become infected when flea feces containing the bacteria enter the body through flea bites, cuts, scratches, or even the eyes. In some cases, inhaling contaminated dust may also lead to infection.

The disease is not spread from person to person, but it is commonly associated with animals that carry fleas, including rats, opossums, cats, and dogs.

Flea-Borne Typhus Symptoms

One reason flea-borne typhus can be difficult to diagnose is that many of its symptoms resemble other common illnesses like the flu.

Symptoms can include fever, severe headaches, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, muscle aches, coughing, loss of appetite, rashes, and confusion in severe cases.

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Health officials say symptoms often appear one to two weeks after exposure.

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Why Are Cases Increasing in Louisiana?

Experts believe the increase could be tied to a genuine rise in infections, but improved testing methods may also be helping doctors identify cases that previously went undetected. Officials also note that flea-borne typhus has been increasing in several parts of the United States in recent years, particularly in states such as Texas, California, and Hawaii.

How Louisiana Residents Can Protect Themselves

The Louisiana Department of Health recommends several simple steps to reduce the risk of exposure:

Keep pets on flea prevention treatments
Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids
Avoid leaving pet food outdoors
Limit contact with wild animals
Use insect repellent when spending time outside
Seal openings around homes where rodents can enter

Learn more about the rise of flea-borne typhus at ldh.la.gov.