George Fuller Mayor at City of McKinney | Facebook Website
There has been an increase in flea-borne typhus cases identified in McKinney, Texas. Flea-borne typhus, also known as "murine" or "endemic," is transmitted to humans through contact with infected fleas. These fleas become carriers when they bite infected animals such as rats, cats, or opossums.
When an infected flea bites a person or animal, it can cause a wound that may lead to infection if contaminated flea dirt enters the wound. However, less than 5% of patients remember a flea bite or exposure in the weeks preceding their illness. The bacteria can also be contracted by inhaling infected flea dirt or getting it into the eyes. It is important to note that these bacteria do not spread from person to person.
Symptoms reported by individuals with typhus are non-specific and include fever, headache, chills, malaise, anorexia, myalgia, rash, nausea, and vomiting. Most cases resolve completely with appropriate antibiotic treatment; however, delayed treatment may result in hospitalization for some patients.
Currently, there is no vaccine available to prevent murine typhus. To reduce the risk of contracting the disease, it is advised to avoid contact with fleas by taking several precautions:
- Clean yards to deter rodents, opossums, and stray cats.
- Remove brush or trash and keep grass mowed; store firewood off the ground.
- Avoid leaving pet food out at night.
- Prevent rodents from inhabiting homes.
- Treat for fleas before starting rodent control to prevent fleas from seeking new hosts.
- Regularly control fleas on pets using veterinarian-recommended products.
For more information about typhus and preventive measures, visit the Department of State Health Services website. Questions can be directed to Collin County Health Care Services at 972-548-4707 or via email at [email protected].
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