Infestation with the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis felis (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) among students in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

• Published in: Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
• Main Author: Chin H.C.; Ahmad N.W.; Lim L.H.; Jeffery J.; Hadi A.A.; Othman H.; Omar B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SEAMEO TROPMED Network 2010
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79952607427&partnerID=40&md5=9758fba2515a2ebd40ea6baff654b7ff

This paper reports six male undergraduate students living at a local university hostel who were infested with cat fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae: Ctenocephalides felis felis) in February 2009. All of them suffered from maculopapular rashes and severe pruritus after the bites. Investigation revealed the presence of a stray cat in the hostel building; five of the students had a history of contact with the cat. Six cat fleas were collected at the hostel and identified as C. felis felis. Most of the students were not aware of this infestation and did not seek medical treatment.