(StraightShooterNews.com) – In a development that has jolted public health officials into action, three tragic deaths in the U.S. due to Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) have raised alarm about this tick-borne disease.
See the tweet below!
This swift, potentially fatal illness underscores the necessity for vigilance and education to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
In California, six individuals contracted RMSF, leading to three fatalities.
The cases were reported between July 2023 and January 2024 and linked to exposure to Rickettsia rickettsii bacteria in Tecate, Mexico.
Previously not considered a high-risk area, Tecate’s new status heightens urgency for awareness, Newsweek reports.
RMSF, a bacterial infection, is transmitted by ticks, notably the American dog tick and the brown dog tick.
Symptoms initially include fever, headache, and rash but can swiftly escalate to severe organ damage or death if untreated.
The California Department of Public Health stresses the need for tick repellent and regular inspections to mitigate infection risks.
The CDC reported that recent RMSF cases involved individuals who traveled to Tecate, with several requiring hospitalization.
Most affected were children under 18.
Healthcare providers are advised to initiate treatment with doxycycline without delay if symptoms arise in individuals recently visiting northern Mexico, WRAL reports.
The disease progresses rapidly and proves fatal in 5% to 10% of cases, with early symptoms progressing to severe complications like mental changes and organ damage.
“Anyone who’s traveled to northern Mexico and develops symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever within two weeks of their return to the US should get medical attention right away,” warned the CDC.
RMSF cannot spread from person to person, but through tick bites, making prevention crucial. Reducing exposure through protective clothing, repellents, and regular tick checks are necessary measures.
Education remains pivotal in preventing RMSF, especially in prevalent areas of the southeastern and south-central U.S.
Early antibiotic intervention with doxycycline dramatically reduces mortality risk from 13%-25% in untreated cases to 3%-5%.
This rapid treatment protocol is essential as many patients do not recall tick bites.
“Early treatment with antibiotics lowers the risk of overall mortality to between 3 and 5 percent.
Untreated cases have a from 13 percent to 25 percent rate of mortality,” according to the Mississippi Department of Public Health.
The repeated occurrences of infections in different regions necessitate a robust public health response.
“RMSF is a severe, rapidly progressive, and often deadly disease transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, although many patients do not recall being bitten by a tick,” the CDC warned, highlighting the importance of swift healthcare attention.
Ticks are awful and can be deadly…Three dead in outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, CDC warns – CNN https://t.co/9spByMRUND
— Nicole Malachowski (@RealMalachowski) December 9, 2023
Copyright 2024, StraightShooterNews.com
