Fleas and Human Health

Fleas are significant vectors of human and animal diseases. Among the more serious of these are:

 

Plague

Fleas are most notorious for vectoring bubonic plague, which has afflicted humans since ancient times. Plague has probably afflicted humans since before the time of Christ. The first recorded plague pandemic occurred in Egypt in the sixth century. During the fourteenth century, the Black Death killed an estimated 25 million people -- possibly one-quarter of the world's population.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a plague pandemic that originated in China's Yunnan Province, and spread to the West Coast of the United States and, from there, throughout the country.

Bubonic plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, which is vectored by fleas. When an infected flea transmits the bacteria into a person's bloodstream, the lymph nodes become swollen and infected (buboes). These buboes release a discharge, if untreated, causes a massive infection that spreads throughout the entire body. This is called septicemia, and once the disease gets this far, it is almost universally fatal.

Yersinia pestis is still present in the United States, particularly among burrowing rodents in the American southwest. Human cases of plague in the United States still occur, but are less frequent -- primarily because of increased emphasis upon pest control and improved pest control techniques.

 

Murine Typhus

Many species of fleas can transmit murine typhus. The disease is characterized by headache, nausea, a high fever, and a spotted rash. Often fatal in generations past, typhus is now treatable in most cases with antibiotics. Fleas transmit the pathogen in their feces, and it enters the body when the affected person scratches to alleviate itching caused by flea bites. Murine typhus is considered rare in the United States.

 

Fleabite Dermatitis

Fleabites are an annoyance to most people, but they can cause serious irritation with swollen, painful rashes in sensitive individuals.

 

Tapeworms

Dogs and cats -- particularly those who are not well cared-for -- sometimes have tapeworms (known medically as Dipylidium caninum). Flea larvae may feed on the excrement of dogs and cats and ingest the tapeworm eggs, which hatch in the larval flea's gut. They remain there for the rest of the flea's development; and a dog, cat, other animal, or human may become infected with the tapeworms by accidentally ingesting an infected flea. Most commonly, human cases of tapeworms in the United States occur when children accidentally ingest an infected flea while playing with a pet.

 

Choosing the Right Exterminator

Economy Pest Control is an independent, family owned and operated, full-service pest control company serving the Greater Boston area. Presently in our third decade of local ownership, our goal is simple: We want to provide the highest quality professional pest control services, at the fairest possible price. For more information about how we can help you with fleas or any other pest problem, please contact us.