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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, August 10, 2002

Typhus cases increase

By Shayna Coleon
Advertiser Staff Writer

Four new murine typhus cases have been confirmed this week, bringing the total to 12 and prompting state health officials yesterday to alert the public of an anticipated increase of the flulike disease.

Fleas on infected rodents carry bacterial disease

Q: What is murine typhus?

A: It is a bacterial infection that causes a flulike illness in humans. Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and rash.

Q: How do you get it?

A: From being bitten by fleas that contracted typhus from infected rodents.

Q: Why is it in the news?

A: Twelve cases have been confirmed in Hawai'i since March, an unusually high number. Health officials believe it may be linked to a sharp increase in the mouse population.

Q: What should people do?

A: Avoid contact with flea-infested rodents. Check traps daily and remove dead mice quickly by sealing them in a plastic bag or container and throwing it away. Treat carpets and other areas where fleas breed. If you suffer symptoms, see a doctor. The state Department of Health has alerted physicians to be aware of the illness.

Source: Hawai'i Department of Health

The four new cases include one on O'ahu, the second confirmed case outside of Maui this year.

A statewide increase in field mice, especially on Maui, may be contributing to the increase of typhus cases because fleas on the infected rodents can spread the disease, said state epidemiologist Paul Effler.

"It's serious," Effler said. "We're going to monitor it closely, and we're going to work closely with (state) Vector Control to make sure we stay on top of it. But, I anticipate we're going to see more cases."

Since March, 12 typhus cases have been confirmed in Hawai'i. Ten of the cases occurred on Maui — eight of them with ties to Kihei, which has been one of the areas hardest-hit by a mouse infestation. One case was on Kaua'i.

Effler said murine typhus is not new to Hawai'i and that the state has had as many as 10 cases in a year. But "we're only halfway through the year, so this represents a big year for Hawai'i so far," Effler said.

Kenneth Hall, chief director of the state's Vector Control Branch, said when the Health Department receives a confirmed typhus case, a Vector Control crew is sent to inspect the infected person's home and neighborhood.

"We conduct a real good inspection to determine what type of a rodent, the degree of infestation if there is any, and other factors contributing to the overall situation," Hall said.

The Vector Control Branch deals with mosquitoes, rats and other factors that can spread disease.

Hall said residents should curb mouse populations by keeping food areas clean and setting traps, and to use insecticides against fleas.

Hall added that residents should check rodent traps often, especially if the trap is designed to kill.

"If you're trapping live mice, the fleas will not come off," Hall said. "But, when the mice die, the fleas on it will start to realize, 'Hey, my host animal (is not alive),'" and the fleas will find another host, Hall said.

Trapping by Vector Control in June indicated the mouse population had increased at least fourfold on Maui, Kaua'i, Moloka'i and the Big Island. On O'ahu, a growing mouse population has been reported on the rural Leeward side of the island. The latest trapping figures will be available in about two weeks, said Hall.

Earlier this week, the state Health Department stepped up its battle against the mice infestation by setting up hundreds of bait traps in highly affected areas and by working with land owners to use more poison to kill the mice.

The statewide mouse problem follows several years of drought and this year's heavy rain, which caused grasses and other plants consumed by mice to grow, and the mouse population with them.

When the food supply diminished over several dry months, the rodents began scouring residential areas for food.

Reach Shayna Coleon at scoleon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8004.