Experts say the fleas rats carry are contributing to a growing number of typhus infections on skid row.
Skid row is where much of Los Angeles’ homeless community finds a place to live, in a population of nearly 5,000 people. The area has also become home to rats, pets, and other rodents that feed on the food left behind on the ground.
“You have constant activity that serves as a breeding ground for rats,” said Estela Lopez, the Central City East Association executive director.
This, in turn, has led to an outbreak of a disease called typhus. NBC News reports that the outbreak started in the summer. So far, there have been 92 cases, with 10 being in Pasadena. Eighteen cases have been reported in Long Beach.
“Illegally dumping, food being discarded, accumulation of blankets and pillows, and human waste” is creating “Third World conditions.” The disease can create a rash that covers the entire body except for the palms of someone’s hands and the bottoms of their feet.
Los Angeles Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn say they are looking to introduce a motion on Tuesday that would create the Housing for Public Health program, which would act to slow down the speed of typhus and other diseases, the news outlet reports. The program would also help with the cleanup of skid row and educating the homeless community.
Last week, Barger and Hahn pitched a motion that would “seek flea collar donations that can be distributed to homeless individuals that have pets.”
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