Epidemiology of Murine Typhus in Texas: 1980 Through 1984

From 1980 through 1984, a total of 200 cases of murine typhus were reported in Texas. All cases were confirmed by the indirect fluorescent antibody assay or latex agglutination test. Patients ranged in age from 1 to 90 years (median, 35 years). Fifty-one percent were female. Seventy-four percent of the patients resided in south Texas. Illness occurred in all months of the year, but 40% of the cases had onset in April, May, or June. Annual incidence increased with age and was higher in Hispanics. Murine typhus continues to be an important public health problem in Texas. ( JAMA 1986;255:2173-2176)