(DCWatchdog.com) – The tragic deaths of three U.S. residents from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) sound the alarm on this tick-borne illness’s grave dangers.
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As tick populations rise, so does the risk, especially in areas like Tecate, Mexico, now recognized for high RMSF risk.
Without swift treatment, RMSF can cause severe harm, making awareness and prevention crucial for public safety.
Six people in California recently contracted Rocky Mountain spotted fever, resulting in three untimely fatalities.
These cases were reported between July 2023 and January 2024 to the California Department of Public Health, raising concern over the spread of RMSF.
Exposure occurred due to Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria carried by ticks, with Tecate being identified as a high-risk area.
RMSF, a potentially fatal bacterial infection, is transmitted by ticks such as the American dog tick, Rocky Mountain wood tick, and brown dog tick.
Initial symptoms, including fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, and a red rash, can quickly escalate without treatment.
Severe cases can lead to organ damage and long-term complications or death.
The recent cases underline the need for healthcare provider vigilance and the importance of immediate treatment with doxycycline.
Without early intervention, RMSF can progress rapidly, increasing mortality risk to as much as 25%.
Timely antibiotic treatment dramatically reduces this risk to 3-5%.
“RMSF is a rapidly progressive disease and without early administration of doxycycline can be fatal within days,” CDC informs, cited by People.
The incidents involve individuals aged 17 months to 65 years, all having exposure to dogs in Tecate.
Fortunately, three patients recovered after antibiotic treatment, demonstrating silver linings amid tragedy.
The CDC advises instantaneous doxycycline treatment for anyone showing symptoms after traveling to northern Mexico.
This outbreak has highlighted a previously unrecognized high-risk RMSF location in Baja California.
Awareness and preparedness should extend to prevent tick exposure by using repellents, wearing suitable outdoor attire, and conducting thorough tick checks after outdoor activities.
RMSF cases are most common in the southeastern and south-central U.S., notably North Carolina, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri.
RMSF’s classification under Spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR), which includes related diseases, saw 1,292 reported cases in the U.S. in 2022.
California, despite normally having a low incidence rate, is not immune to outbreaks.
Public health guidance stresses the dire need for increased awareness regarding RMSF.
Six people in California reported infection with Rocky Mountain spotted fever, all of whom had visited Tecate, Mexico, just prior. https://t.co/fqqZm8bDAD
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) November 29, 2024
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