12-year-old girl survives septic shock from flea-borne illness after coming home from youth camp

Summary by The Midland Editorial Desk · Based on reporting from KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · July 21, 2026 · 3 min read

WACO, Texas ( KWTX /Gray News) - A 12-year-old girl from Texas spent six days in the hospital after flea-borne typhus triggered septic shock. The infectious disease specialist who treated her said he is seeing higher-than-usual numbers of the illness this summer. Hope Smith returned from youth ca...

Why this matters in The Midland

The case of the 12-year-old girl from Texas who contracted flea-borne typhus after attending youth camp is a stark reminder of the health risks associated with outdoor activities in the Permian Basin area. As the region's mild winters contribute to an increase in flea and tick populations, local residents, especially children, are more likely to be exposed to diseases like murine typhus. The fact that a pediatric infectious disease specialist in the area is seeing higher-than-usual numbers of the illness this summer should prompt local health officials to increase awareness about the disease and its prevention. Midland County residents who participate in outdoor activities, such as camping or hiking, should take extra precautions to protect themselves from flea bites, including using insect repellents and wearing protective clothing. By taking proactive measures, the community can reduce the risk of contracting flea-borne illnesses and prevent severe cases like septic shock.

About this story

Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: parks · Published: July 21, 2026 · Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) · Reading time: 3 min

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This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.

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This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Midland Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 21, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 21, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

12-year-old girl survives septic shock from flea-borne illness after coming home from youth camp

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