Flea-borne typhus was almost eradicated, but it’s making a comeback in Texas
It starts with a fever, aches, maybe even a rash — symptoms that could be mistaken for the flu or just a lingering bug.
But in Texas, doctors are warning that another culprit is increasingly to blame: flea-borne typhus.
Once thought to be nearly eradicated, the illness is turning up in growing numbers along the Texas border and in big cities like Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Austin.
Health officials say cases are climbing faster than expected, and many patients are winding up in the hospital.
As the disease returns to Texas, here’s what to know about how it spreads, what signs to look for and why it’s resurfacing now.
What is flea-borne typhus and why is it a concern in Texas?
Flea-borne typhus is a bacterial infection caused by Rickettsia bacteria and spread by fleas.
From 2008 to 2023, Texas saw more than 6,700 cases, 14 deaths and thousands of hospitalizations — the highest case count in the country, according to a Texas Public Radio report.
This isn’t the first time typhus has gripped Texas. In the 1940s, San Antonio faced outbreaks so severe that the U.S. military stepped in with citywide DDT spraying to kill rats and fleas.
The campaign, which targeted infested downtown neighborhoods, worked and typhus cases dropped dramatically across the South. For decades, the disease nearly disappeared.
But today, cases are climbing again, showing up in areas far beyond their historic stronghold in the Rio Grande Valley.
How does flea-borne typhus spread to humans?
Typhus doesn’t spread from person to person, it spreads through fleas. Infected fleas pass the bacteria to people through bites or when flea droppings enter cuts, scratches or eyes.
The fleas often come from cats, dogs, rats and opossums, which public health experts call “reservoir animals” because they keep the bacteria in circulation.
That means exposure can happen close to home. Pets that bring fleas indoors, wildlife in neighborhoods and even brush piles in the yard can all increase the risk.
What are the symptoms of flea-borne typhus?
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the illness usually begins within two weeks of exposure. A few symptoms include:
- Headache
- Fever
- Nausea
- Body aches
- Chills
- Rash that spreads from the torso outward.
Because the early signs resemble the flu, diagnosis is often delayed. That delay can be dangerous: about 70 percent of Texas patients in recent years have required hospitalization, and a handful of cases have been fatal.
Why is flea-borne typhus coming back after nearly being eradicated?
Public health experts say a combination of factors is fueling the resurgence. Expanding cities bring people into closer contact with wildlife that host fleas.
Modern prevention relies on individual action, unlike the sweeping eradication efforts of the 1940s. And researchers point to climate change as a long-term driver: warmer, wetter conditions extend flea seasons and help them reproduce more quickly.
How can I protect myself and pets from typhus?
The DSHS recommends year-round flea prevention for pets, along with yard cleanup to remove brush and outdoor food sources that attract rodents and opossums.
Using insect repellent outdoors can also reduce the risk of bites.
Doctors stress the importance of seeking medical care quickly if you develop sudden fever, chills and body aches especially after flea bites or contact with animals.
Mentioning possible typhus exposure can help doctors diagnose faster. The disease is treatable, but early recognition makes all the difference.
