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Do Fleas Carry Diseases?

While not particularly common for these ordinary pests to carry pathogens, it is not impossible. Fleas generally transmit diseases that they acquired from a previous host, the most common being diseased rats, mice, squirrels, cats, or dogs. Diseases transmitted by fleas are still highly treatable if caught early enough for pets and people alike.
 
 
Common Diseases Transmitted By Fleas
 
Plague (bubonic plague)
 
Yes, that plague. The Black Death. The one that killed somewhere between 30-50% of the European population back in the mid-1300s. The Plague is extremely rare nowadays and is highly treatable when caught early enough. However, one of the few ways that it is contracted is via an infected flea bite.
 
Typhus (murine typhus)
 
Murine typhus is the typhus spread by rodents. Fleas that feed off infected rodents can transmit this disease to whatever they feed on afterward. Typhus can also be spread by fleas that transmit the disease from cats and flea feces, also known as flea dirt. Flea-borne typhus is rare and is most often found in California, Texas, Hawaii, and other parts of the southwestern US. Typhus is highly treatable if caught early.
 
Tungiasis
 
Tungiasis is a disease of tropical regions that often travel back to other parts of the world when people travel. Tungiasis is carried by fleas, chiggers, and sand fleas that burrow into the skin of your feet and legs to lay their eggs. The infection leads to itchy inflamed skin and can only be treated by extracting all burrowed sand fleas and eggs.
 
Cat Scratch Disease (CSD)
 
Cat Scratch Disease is found anywhere there are cats and fleas. This disease affects the lymph nodes but is both rare and treatable. Humans can become infected via a scratch of an infected cat, or through the inoculation of flea feces through a scratch.
 
Parasites
 
Getting a parasite or tapeworm from a flea is most commonly seen in small children and pets since it requires that a diseased flea be swallowed. This happens more commonly with pets and people who are closer to the ground where the fleas jump.
 
Allergic Reactions
 
While not specifically a disease, it is possible to be allergic to a flea bite or flea dirt and suffer an allergic reaction. These are usually minor but care should be taken if you, a pet, or your home becomes infested with fleas.
 
For homes with flea problems, you can always call reliable pest control solutions in Portland to safely eradicate a home of fleas. Preventative measures should be taken to protect pets from fleas or from bringing in fleas outdoors. Always be careful around wild animals or strong cats or dogs since you never know what they may be carrying or infected by. Get medical help if you develop more severe symptoms after being bitten by a flea or if you notice strain behavior in a pet who may have been bitten by an infected flea.