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Can I get infected by fleas?
Symptoms of Murine Typhus
How to treat cat fleas
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Can fleas spread diseases?
- By Emma
-
- July 7, 2026
- 2 MIN READ
Deadly flea-borne virus could spread into your home
A flea-borne virus, Murine Typhus, caught through cat fleas has resurfaced and is being spread throughout homes in Texas, US. It is thought to be a disease passed from rodents to outdoor cats, who are then spreading the bacteria in homes.
Can I get infected by fleas?
Currently contained just to America, Murine Typhus usually causes mild symptoms of infection, but if left untreated this virus can lead to hospitalisation or worse. If you are a pet owner in the UK, this should not affect you, it’s extremely rare and isn’t native to this climate. However, if you have recently travelled to a subtropical country or this region in America and you are showing signs of symptoms, visit a hospital immediately.
It’s not just us humans that are knocked down by the bacteria. Murine Typhus will make cats extremely poorly, not to mention they contract this bacterium through a flea infestation, meaning they will be itching and uncomfortable with that too.
Symptoms of Murine Typhus
According to the CDC, symptoms of Murine Typhus usually appear after 14 days of exposure and are similar to flu symptoms like fever, headache, chills, rash, backache, joint pain and nausea. You could also have a bad cough and stomach pain. After 5 days of the infection, humans usually develop a rash too.
How to treat cat fleas
Regardless of whether the fleas your cat has carry a flea-borne virus, you need to get rid of fleas fast. Fleas are quick and hop onto pets in order to feed off their blood and breed. With a solid meal, an adult female flea can lay 50 flea eggs a day meaning just 5 fleas on an untreated pet could lead to 1 million flea eggs in your home within 4 weeks. To ensure you get rid of fleas instantly and effectively, you need to tackle the adult fleas on your pet and the flea eggs breeding in your home. These tend to live in carpet fibres, floorboard cracks and in your pet’s bed.
Follow these flea killer steps to clear fleas in your home and on your pet:
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Step 1
Use vet approved flea treatment on your pet that kills fleas and flea eggs like Itch Flea Treatment for Cats and Itch Flea Treatment for Dogs.
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Step 2
Wash your pet’s bedding, any blankets and cushion covers on a high heat. Pretty much anywhere your pet hangs out. Itch flea experts confirm that cat fleas can live in your bedding so wash this too!
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Step 3
Vacuum your home thoroughly and consistently. According to PHC Vacuum Service, you should at least vacuum your home every other day during an infestation.
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Step 4
Spray your home with a household flea spray which targets flea eggs and larvae, like Itch Flea House Spray.
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Step 5
Keep up with regular flea treatment, vets recommend one spot on flea treatment per month, every month after an infestation. Any gaps in treating your cat for fleas, gives the fleas a chance to start feeding and breeding again.
Cat fleas are dangerous to both cats and humans, and when the fleas are carrying Murine Typhus they can cause serious health problems. To keep your cat and family safe, using preventative flea treatment is the best way to ensure fleas don’t cause harm. See the Itch blog for more flea removal tips and home infestation help.
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Identification
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Flea
Treatment
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Worming
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