Typhus On The Rise in Texas

September 12, 2025 – Texas health officials are sounding the alarm as cases of typhus, a disease once nearly eradicated in the United States, are climbing at an alarming rate. Public health data show that Texas has become the nation’s hotspot for the flea-borne illness, with infections concentrated in South and Central Texas but spreading steadily across the state.

Typhus is typically transmitted through fleas carried by animals such as opossums, rats, and stray cats. Symptoms often begin like the flu — fever, chills, fatigue, and body aches — but can progress to severe headaches, rash, and in some cases, organ failure if left untreated. While the disease is rarely fatal when caught early, doctors warn that delays in diagnosis and treatment can put patients at serious risk.

Officials link the resurgence to booming urban rodent populations, warmer climates that extend flea activity, and increased human-wildlife contact. Cases have more than doubled over the past decade, with several counties reporting record highs in 2025.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is urging residents to take preventive steps, including controlling fleas on pets, sealing trash, and avoiding contact with stray animals. Physicians are also being reminded to test for typhus when patients present with persistent fever.