By NewsDesk  @infectiousdiseasenews

In Baja California, Daniela Miranda Guzmán, a veterinarian attached to the Zoonosis program, explained that 23 cases of rickettsiosis have been diagnosed, of which eight died so far in 2021. The eight fatalities were reported in children and adolescents.

Characteristic spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever/CDC

He said children are more vulnerable and that the children and adolescents who were affected had a greater coexistence with their dogs, which carried the infected ticks.

Rocky Mountain Spotted fever (RMSF) is a tick borne disease caused by the organism, Rickettsia rickettsii. Typically, the progress of the disease is a sudden onset of high fever, deep muscle pain, severe headache and chills. A rash usually appears on the extremities within 5 days then soon spreads to palms and soles and then rapidly to the trunk.

Fatalities can be seen in greater than 20% of untreated cases. Death is uncommon with prompt recognition and treatment.

The absence or delayed appearance of the typical rash or the failure to recognize it, especially in dark-skinned people cause a delay in diagnosis and increased fatalities. Early stages of RMSF can be confused with erlichiosis, meningococcal meningitis and enteroviral infection.