Typhus, actually a form of spotted fever (Rickettsial diseases like Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever), enters the body from a bite of an infected tick, mite, flea, or louse. It is not uncommon in travelers who spend time in the wilderness of Africa or India. The disease is also found in the western Pacific Islands and southeast Asia.

Use of repellents to prevent tick and mite attachment provides the best prevention against this disease. See the Insect Protection Measures. Production of typhus vaccine in the United States has been discontinued and there are no plans for commercial production of a new vaccine.