What does a human flea transmit? - briefly
The human flea (Pulex irritans) can transmit Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for plague, and it may also carry Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus.
What does a human flea transmit? - in detail
The human flea (Pulex irritans) is capable of moving pathogens from animal reservoirs to people. Its role as a vector is limited compared with the cat flea, yet several agents have been documented.
- Yersinia pestis – the bacterium that causes plague. Historical records link human‑flea bites to sporadic cases of bubonic plague, especially in regions where rodents and fleas coexist.
- Rickettsia typhi – the causative agent of murine typhus. Transmission occurs when infected flea feces enter the bite wound or are scratched into the skin.
- Bartonella henselae – associated with cat‑scratch disease and bacillary angiomatosis. Human fleas can acquire the bacterium from infected hosts and pass it to humans through bites.
- Dipylidium caninum – a tapeworm whose larvae develop inside flea larvae. Ingestion of an infected adult flea leads to intestinal infection, particularly in children.
- Other rickettsial organisms – occasional reports mention flea‑borne spotted fever group rickettsiae; evidence remains sparse.
Beyond infectious agents, the bite of Pulex irritans frequently induces pruritic papules, allergic dermatitis, and secondary bacterial infection from scratching. Control measures focus on environmental sanitation, regular treatment of pets, and use of insecticidal products to reduce flea populations and interrupt transmission cycles.