NewsDesk @bactiman63

The Municipality of Campinas in São Paulo State confirmed two more deaths of residents from Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), bringing the total to four in 2022.

The following is the list of the four fatalities:

  • Female, 36 years old: onset of symptoms on July 28. The probable site of infection is in the South region. He died on the 4th of August.
  • Female, 45 years old: first symptoms on July 1st. The probable site of infection is in the East region. He died on the 5th of July.
  • Male, 66 years old: onset of symptoms on 24 June and died on 30 June. Infected, probably, in Sousas.
  • Male, 18: died on April 24 (first case)
Characteristic spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever/CDC

According to health officials, the coldest and driest months, which consist of the dry season, are the ones with the highest transmissibility of spotted fever.

According to the Ministry of Health, spotted fever is an infectious, acute febrile disease of variable severity. It can range from mild and atypical clinical forms to severe forms, with a high fatality rate. Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by a bacterium of the genus Rickettsia, transmitted by tick bites.

In Brazil, two species of rickettsiae are associated with clinical pictures of spotted fever:

  • Rickettsia rickettsii , which produces the serious disease registered in the North of the State of Paraná and in the states of the Southeast region;
  • Rickettsia sp . Atlantic Forest strain, which is recorded in Atlantic Forest environments, producing less severe clinical conditions.

In Brazil, the main vectors and reservoirs are ticks of the genus Amblyomma, such as A. sculptum (= A. cajennense) known as star tick, A. aureolatum and A. ovale. However, potentially, all species of ticks can be reservoirs of the bacteria that cause spotted fever, such as the dog tick.

 

Paraguay reports suspected measles case, Sample to be sent to CDC

Brasília is the city with the most dengue in Brazil: Health Ministry

Brazil chikungunya: 162,000 cases reported in first eight months of 2022

Bolivia: 12 cases of visceral leishmaniasis reported in Villa Montes