A Centers for Disease Control field team is now testing animals that may be the source of a local Typhus outbreak.

Jennifer Adjemian and Kristina McElroy are CDC scientists who specialize in the study of Typhus.

Traps they set in Austin overnight captured 4 baby raccoons and one possum.

"They are here and they're relaxing, and then we will be able to sedate them and get the blood samples that we need," said Adjemian.

Those blood samples and any fleas found on the animals will be sent back to Atlanta.

"When we see an outbreak, such as this, we'll come and we'll trap animals and collect their fleas and ticks because it's the best way to learn one - what disease is circulating in the area, and two, to give the best prevention guidelines," said Adjemian.

Results should take about a week to come back.

Meanwhile, these animals will be released back into the wild after the sedative wears off.

Two factors may play into this Typhus outbreak.

The recent drought may be forcing potentially infected animals to migrate in Austin, looking for new sources of food and water.

Secondly, the CDC field team says they've noticed the large amount of construction here in Austin.

Homes built in rural areas are pushing humans and animals into closer quarters.

Typhus may have been here all along, but it's just now that we're coming in contact.

That's something Adjemian and McElroy will be studying over the next two weeks as they set more traps.

"What we'll be doing is setting them in the evening and then collecting them in the morning to minimize any excessive heat that they would otherwise be exposed to," said Adjemian.

She and fellow scientist McElroy say their work here in Austin shouldn't cause any panic.

They suspect test results will show animal in Austin infected with the Murine strain of Typhus - that’s the same strain that’s commonly found in south Texas.

Typhus prevention includes riding your home and pets of fleas, and making sure to wear bug repellant containing deet while outdoors.

Typhus symptoms include high fever, severe head ache and muscle pain, and a blotchy, bumpy rash. Typhus is fully treatable using antibiotics. Left untreated, Typhus can be deadly.