SANTA ANA – The Orange County Vector Control District has begun to set traps to catch feral cats in Santa Ana and distribute safety information after a Santa Ana resident contracted flea-borne typhus.

Santa Ana officials said in an e-mail message they were notified by O.C. Vector Control that the agency had learned of a resident with a confirmed case of typhus. The resident lives in the area of Broadway and Washington Street.

O.C. Vector Control has begun distributing information in the area advising residents how they can protect themselves.

Flea-borne typhus, also known as endemic typhus and murine typhus, is transmitted by fleas. It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and Rickettsia felis, found in infected fleas and their feces.

Symptoms begin one to two weeks after exposure and include high fever, headaches, chills, body aches and rash on the chest, back, arms and legs.

“In the event a feral cat is caught, Santa Ana Animal Services will follow a specific protocol for sedating, transporting and euthanizing the animal at O.C. Vector Control’s facility,” the city’s message said.

Santa Ana Animal Services and Vector Control will work next week to capture wild animals in the area that may be infected.

Here are steps you can take to protect yourself:

•Pets, yards, and homes should be kept free of fleas by treating pets with flea-prevention medication.

•Eliminate places where wild animals, such as opossums, cats, rats and raccoons, can find shelter.

•Eliminate food sources that might attract wild animals.

•Wear protective gear when cleaning areas that may be infested by the above-mentioned animals.

For information, call Orange County Vector Control at 714-971-2421 or see ocvcd.org.

More to come.

Contact the writer: rgonzales@ocregister.com