A One Health Perspective on the Resurgence of Flea-Borne Typhus in Texas in the 21st Century: Part 1: The Bacteria, the Cat Flea, Urbanization, and Climate Change.

Summary: In Texas, an old enemy is making a comeback. Flea-borne typhus, a bacterial disease once thought to be under control, is surging in urban areas. The culprit? A "One Health" storm involving the cat flea, local wildlife like opossums and feral cats, and our changing environment. As cities expand into wildlife habitats and climate change creates warmer conditions that allow fleas to thrive year-round, the risk of infection is rising. This article explores how these factors combine to bring this fever-causing illness from the backyard to the bedside.