r/LosAngeles • u/TrixoftheTrade Long Beach • 26d ago
Public Health Flea-borne typhus infections rising, Long Beach health officials say
https://lbwatchdog.com/flea-borne-typhus-infections-rising-long-beach-health-officials-say/5
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u/Pasadenaian 26d ago
Our homelessness issue is so bad that we're seeing a resurgence of medieval diseases.
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u/bottom_armadillo805 25d ago
Apparently we'd rather go back to the medieval period than house the homeless
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u/uiuctodd 26d ago
Read. The infection comes from cats, rats, and opossums. Not people.
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u/Pasadenaian 26d ago
Homeless encampments = rats.
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u/stolenfires Culver City 26d ago
Rats don't just show up at homeless encampments.
I have a plot in a community garden and we have a huge rat problem, because people keep growing things rats like to eat. Because it's a garden. And rats will eat anything. When I was taking classes at Santa Monica College, the 'no food or drink except your super sealed water bottle' was strictly enforced to try and control the rat problem.
Unsecured dumpsters behind grocery stores and restaurants also attract rats.
While I'm not trying to say that homeless encampments are rat-free, fixing the homelessness problem won't also fix the rat problem. So maybe don't put it all on them. They have like zero power in this equation.
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u/Pasadenaian 26d ago
I wasn't trying to put the blame on the homeless, my intent was to point out how dire the situation is.
There was a typhus outbreak in skidrow back in 2018:
When you have people living on the streets exposed to vectors like rats, this will of course exacerbate the issue.
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u/sonofchocula 26d ago
You didn’t even read the article and probably think RFK is a medical professional
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u/LaKoref 26d ago
Good to see health officials getting the word out. This means it's time to double down on flea meds for pets, keep yards tidy, and generally be aware, especially if you're spending time outdoors in those areas. Public health warnings are there for a reason.