Texas A&M Finds R. typhi in 6 of 167 Cat Flea Samples in South Texas
Updated
Updated · Newsweek · Jul 6
Texas A&M Finds R. typhi in 6 of 167 Cat Flea Samples in South Texas
2 articles · Updated · Newsweek · Jul 6
Summary
Texas A&M researchers detected Rickettsia typhi DNA in fleas from six of 167 domestic cats sampled in the Rio Grande Valley, offering direct evidence that pet cats can help bring murine typhus into homes.
The finding helps explain a broader resurgence of the flea-borne disease in South Texas, where more than 6,700 cases were reported from 2008 to 2023 and where transmission reaches humans through infected flea feces rather than person-to-person spread.
Galveston data underscore the health risk: 149 adult cases identified from 2019 to 2023 led to 119 hospitalizations, 33 ICU admissions and two deaths, with older age and chronic conditions tied to severe illness.
A 2023 serology study found past infection in Galveston County rose to 7.8% in 2021 from 1.2% in 2013, suggesting exposure has widened as cat populations, uneven flea control and warming weather support transmission.