Epidemic Typhus (European Typhus; Classic Typhus; Louse-Borne Typhus; Jail Fever) By William A Petri, Jr, MD, PhD, University of Virginia School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Mar 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Key Points Brill-Zinsser Disease Epidemic typhus is caused by Rickettsia prowazekii.