Origin Of Deadly Fever Outbreak Found

The place might not be surprising.

An alarming outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in southern California has resulted in three fatalities, as outlined in a health advisory released on December 8 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The reported cases, totaling five in number, all involved individuals who had either recently visited or resided in Tecate, Mexico. Strikingly, each of the affected patients had spent time in Tecate within two weeks prior to falling ill, with diagnoses occurring between July and December 2023 at hospitals in southern California. According to the CDC’s alert, one patient was an adult, while the remaining four were under 18 years old.

Of these cases, three patients were residents of the United States, while two hailed from Mexico, and tragically, three individuals succumbed to the illness, as reported by the CDC.

RMSF, described by the CDC as a severe and rapidly progressive disease transmitted through infected tick bites, is endemic in various northern Mexican states bordering the U.S., including Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and certain regions of the southwestern U.S.

Dr. Marc Siegel, a clinical professor at NYU Langone Medical Center and a medical contributor to Fox News, expressed concerns regarding these cases, particularly emphasizing the potential risks associated with ticks carrying the disease crossing into the U.S. through porous borders. The fever is caused by bacteria spread by brown dog ticks, distinct from Lyme disease-transmitting ticks due to their larger size and lack of characteristic white spots.

Highlighting the urgency in recognizing potential RMSF cases, the CDC urges healthcare providers to consider this condition when assessing patients with recent travel history to northern Mexico and recommends doxycycline, an antibiotic, as the standard treatment.

RMSF poses a substantial threat if not promptly treated, leading to a rapidly progressive course and high fatality rates, especially in Mexico where the disease’s fatality rate can surpass 40%. Young children under 10 face a significantly higher risk, with the disease proving five times deadlier for them compared to adults. Initial symptoms, though often mild, can progress to severe complications including mental disorientation, organ damage, and respiratory issues, making timely reporting of cases to health departments imperative.