CDC researchers issued an alert on 27th March, cautioning healthcare professionals about a potential resurgence of murine typhus, according to MedPage Today. This rarity is a flea-borne disease caused by the bacteria ‘Rickettsia typhi’, with a noticeable upsurge in reported cases from Texas and California.
Murine typhus was subject to national notification from 1930 to 1987, as documented by the CDC. The 1930s and 1940s witnessed the report of thousands of cases annually. However, a critical downturn was observed in the 1950s, owing to enhancements in sanitation and pest control. In that period, fewer than 100 cases were reported each year.
Region-wise, Southern California, Hawaii, and Southern Texas have generally been the primary reporters of most cases in the U.S. Concerningly, the CDC stated that since 2008, the number of reported cases of murine typhus has seen a significant increase, suggesting a possible re-emergence of this infectious disease in specific U.S. regions.
Common symptoms associated with murine typhus include fever with chills, body pain, loss of appetite, stomach distress, nausea, vomiting, coughing, and rashes. Thankfully, the occurrence of fatal cases remains rare, comprising less than 1% of all reported cases.
‘Considering murine typhus′ eradication from the United States and its fading from the healthcare providers′ consciousness, its evident return is even more alarming,’ said Dr. Johanna Salzer, the team lead for Epidemiology at the CDC′s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, as quoted in the report. She emphasized that the current haunting burden is most likely underestimated.
In terms of treatment, murine typhus responds well to the antibiotic doxycycline, and patients usually witness a rapid recovery when treated early. The CDC confirmed that there were no records of persistent or chronic infections.