A new outbreak of flea-borne typhus in Los Angeles has resulted in six people being hospitalized, as health officials investigate the source of the infections.
According to local health authorities, the latest cases were identified in the Wilshire Center area, where officials are examining a cluster of infections caused by the bacterial disease. Flea-borne typhus has continued to reappear in different parts of Los Angeles County.
The outbreak comes only months after another cluster was reported in the Pico-Union neighborhood. Earlier this year, five people in the area developed symptoms and required hospitalization.
Health officials say fleas are believed to be the main source of exposure in the latest outbreak. The disease is typically transmitted to people through bites from infected fleas, which can acquire the bacteria from animals such as rats and other rodents.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the cases and monitor the situation in the affected areas.
Follow NEWS.am Medicine on Facebook and Twitter