Six human cases of Murine typhus have been diagnosed in Long Beach, CA

[Ian David]

GLIDE Number: EP-20070130-9634-USA
Date / time: 30/01/2007 19:09:48
Event: Epidemic Hazard
Area: North-America
Country: USA
State/County: California
City: Long Beach
Number of Deads: None or unknow
Number of Injured: None or unknow
Damage level: Minor

Description:
Six human cases of Murine typhus have been diagnosed in Long Beach, according to NBC4's Beverly White, and health experts say the disease is carried by animals that live outdoors.

Symptoms of the disease resemble those of meningitis; they include high fever, severe headaches, body ache, and extreme fatigue. More severe complications are rare.

White said people can protect against the disease by eliminating food and water sources for wild animals such as possums and mice, which may spread the sdisease.

Infected house pets rarely show the symptoms of Murine typhus, White said, so pet owners are urged to take extra steps to protect against flea infestation.

More:
http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?lang=eng&id=9634