Deputy City Attorney Contracts Typhus at L.A. City Hall
Deputy City Atty. Elizabeth Greenwood was at work in City Hall East last fall when her shin began to hurt. I looked down and there were a couple of insect bites, Greenwood recalled. She thought little of it at the time, she said, but within weeks she was gravely ill with what doctors would ultimately diagnose as the flea-borne illness typhus.
It was absolutely terrifying, Greenwood said, describing symptoms that included a 102-degree fever, the worst headache I have ever had in my life, and dizziness so severe that she needed help walking to the bathroom.
Greenwoods doctor initially diagnosed her with meningitis. She said that as she lay in bed one day wondering why she wasnt getting better, she recalled Mayor Eric Garcettis email last October warning of the typhus outbreak. I googled typhus and all of my symptoms were included on the list, she said. A blood test later confirmed her diagnosis, she said.
Greenwood said she notified the City Attorneys office that she had typhus, but supervisors did not alert co-workers.
It was clear they just didnt believe me, she said. Spokesmen for the office did not respond to messages seeking comment.
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-city-hall-typhus-20190209-story.html