Investigation of a murine typhus outbreak in a metropolitan area

A local public health jurisdiction in a metropolitan area reported six cases of murine typhus (endemic typhus), in 2006, a flea-borne illness which has not been detected in the City for over 100 years. Local epidemiological and vector control surveillance and response will be discussed, as well as health care provider, veterinary and community education and risk communication methods. This re-emerging disease which was identified as a new Rickettsial species is typically caused by the bite of infected fleas carried by cats, opossums, and rats. This presentation will also discuss human and animal surveillance methods to monitor the spread of murine typhus, vector control measures to reduce flea populations and a community wide health education campaign to reduce the risk of a wide spread outbreak. Interagency coordination with the Centers for Disease Control Rickettsial Disease Laboratory and the use of geographic information systems for outbreak management and control will also be included in the discussion.