County public health officials are taking a broader approach in tackling the typhus epidemic after multiple cases were discovered last week in Pasadena, Long Beach and Los Angeles.
The county Board of Supervisors asked Department of Public Health executive director Barbara Ferrer to work with the municipal health agencies in Long Beach and Pasadena to widen the scope of identifying and treating the disease. The supervisors also laid the groundwork for a pilot program of prevention and response for homeless populations on Oct. 16.
Approximately 65 cases of typhus have been reported in the county thus far. Public health officials now are looking at homeless encampments as necessary locations for an expansion of typhus prevention outreach, as the homeless population often finds it challenging to access hygiene facilities. Last year there were 47 confirmed cases of typhus.
The county Board of Supervisors asked Department of Public Health executive director Barbara Ferrer to work with the municipal health agencies in Long Beach and Pasadena to widen the scope of identifying and treating the disease. The supervisors also laid the groundwork for a pilot program of prevention and response for homeless populations on Oct. 16.
Approximately 65 cases of typhus have been reported in the county thus far. Public health officials now are looking at homeless encampments as necessary locations for an expansion of typhus prevention outreach, as the homeless population often finds it challenging to access hygiene facilities. Last year there were 47 confirmed cases of typhus.
https://www.laweekly.com/news/typhus-epidemic-requires-broader-approach-from-health-officials-9978291