It spreads when fleas become infected with bacteria known as Rickettsia typhi or Rickettsia felis. The illness reaches humans when fleas bite them or when infected flea feces are rubbed into cuts or scrapes in the skin, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ... [S]evere cases can lead to damage to the heart, brain and lungs without treatment.
The article never mentions lice, blaming the outbreak on fleas passed by stray and wild animals, especially rodents and cats, but also on trash left uncollected in the streets for some reason (now why would that be?), and on pet owners who fail to use flea reduction products. That's it, it's the fault of pet owners.
It couldn't possibly be dirty, filthy homeless people, you see.
