As flea season looms year-round in Orange County, health officials are sounding the alarm about the risks associated with flea-borne typhus, a disease caused by the bacteria *Rickettsia typhi* and *Rickettsia felis*. These bacteria thrive in fleas and their feces, often carried by common wildlife and domestic pets.
Fleas that transmit this potentially serious illness can typically be found on feral and domestic cats, dogs, opossums, rats, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and rabbits. Unfortunately, these pests do not only affect animals; they pose a significant threat to humans as well. Infection occurs when contaminated flea feces are scratched into bite sites, wounds, or even ingested or inhaled.
“Flea infestations can happen without obvious symptoms in animals,” warned a local health official. “That’s why it’s crucial for pet owners to be proactive in flea control measures to prevent exposure to this disease.”
To minimize risks, residents are encouraged to regularly inspect their pets and their bedding for fleas. The presence of flea feces, often referred to as “flea dirt,” can be an early indicator of an infestation. Maintaining a consistent flea and heartworm prevention program for pets is recommended to ensure their health and safety.
Authorities are also advising against relocating animals, as this practice can inadvertently spread the disease further.
The key to combating flea-borne typhus lies in preventing human contact with fleas. Pet owners are urged to avoid feeding wildlife and leaving pet food outdoors overnight. Instead, applying flea control products at regular intervals is essential in safeguarding both pets and the community.
As awareness grows, the community is reminded of the importance of vigilance in flea control as a means of protecting both pets and public health in the fight against flea-borne typhus.
For More Information, Visit:
- U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control
- www.cdc.gov
- California Department of Public Health
- www.cdph.ca.gov
- California Department of Fish and Wildlife
- http://www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/nongame/nuis_exo/dom_cat/
- Orange County Health Care Agency
- ochealthinfo.com
- Orange County Animal Care Services
- ocpetinfo.com
What Steps Can I Take to Avoid Contracting Flea-borne Typhus?
These simple steps can help you reduce the risk of Flea-borne Tyhpus in your area:
- Pets, yards, and homes should be kept free of fleas. Oral and topical flea control medications can be used on pets to control and prevent flea problems. Consult your veterinarian for advice. When purchasing pesticides to treat yards and homes, use only materials which state “for flea control” on the label, and follow directions carefully.
- Eliminate places where wild animals can find shelter. Yards should be kept clear of heavy undergrowth and accumulated debris to reduce areas where animals may nest or hide. Buildings should be examined and repaired to exclude rodents, opossums, and stray or feral cats.
- Eliminate all food sources. Open trash cans, bird feeders, fallen fruit, and pet food attract rodents and other animals. Pick up all fallen fruit and do not leave pet food out at night.
- Take personal precautions. Wear protective equipment such as a particle mask or respirator, goggles, and gloves when cleaning areas that may have been infested by rodents, raccoons, skunks, opossums, or stray cats. When opossums or feral cats become pests, well-intentioned individuals will sometimes attempt to capture and relocate these animals to other areas. This practice violates California Fish and Wildlife laws and is considered inhumane. Prior to trapping opossums and stray or feral cats on your property, contact your local animal control agency or the Humane Society.
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Categories: Health, Local Government, Local News
Summer in OC: Searing heat waves, sewer spills at the beaches, West Nile, and now Typhus. Add in the cost of living here, the traffic, and you have to ask, “What’s the attraction?”
“Resident, noun: Unable to leave.”
-Ambrose Bierce
Do you really think other places are that much better? Tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards, floods, excessive heat and humidity followed by severe cold and polar vortices. Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, brain eating amoebas, Valley fever, and the lists go on. This summer we had a heat wave towards the end of August, while the rest of the summer was very mild compared to the rest of the country. But yes, it’s so awful here.
Good one.