
Three deaths from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a tickborne disease spread by the brown dog tick, have been reported by the CDC. The fatalities are part of six cases identified in California between July 2023 and January 2024, signaling an unusual increase in infections.
The patients, mostly female and ranging in age from a toddler to a senior, all had recent exposure to Tecate, Mexico, and had contact with dogs. RMSF is more commonly associated with northern Mexico and U.S. border regions, making the cluster in California noteworthy.
Symptoms like fever, abdominal pain and cough often mimic other illnesses, delaying diagnosis. With no rapid test available, RMSF requires immediate treatment with doxycycline upon suspicion to prevent life-threatening complications.
California typically sees one RMSF case annually, according to historical data from 2011 to 2019. The recent spike has drawn attention to the potential dangers of tickborne diseases in border regions.
The CDC urges public awareness and preventative measures, especially for those traveling to high-risk areas or interacting with free-roaming dogs. Early treatment remains the key to combating the effects of RMSF and similar diseases.