Rickettsia felis or cat-flea typhus is a species of Rickettsia

Rickettsia

Rickettsia is a genus of non-motile, Gram-negative, non-sporeforming, highly pleomorphic bacteria that can present as cocci , rods or thread-like . Being obligate intracellular parasites, the Rickettsia survival depends on entry, growth, and replication within the cytoplasm of eukaryotic host cells...

that causes flea-borne spotted fever

Flea-borne spotted fever

Flea-borne spotted fever is a condition characterized by a rash of maculopapules or furuncles.It is caused by Rickettsia felis.- See also :* American tick bite fever* Japanese spotted fever* List of cutaneous conditions...

 in cat

Cat

The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...

s. The bacteria can also infect humans and cause illness. Fleas are the vector carriers of the bacteria and it has been found in cat flea populations of North and South America, Southern Europe, Thailand and Australia. The host is usually infected by flea feces coming into contact with scratched or broken skin.

Australia

Human cases of rickettsia felis were diagnosed in Australia in 2009, these were the first reported human infections in Australia. The infected individuals were family members who had been exposed to flea bites from infested kittens. In this cluster an otherwise healthy nine year old girl was admitted to hospital with fever and a rash. This later worsened three days later when her lungs filled with fluid and she was admitted to intensive care.