By NewsDesk  @bactiman63 

The Municipality of Hortolândia in São Paulo State confirmed Thursday, the first death from spotted fever in the city this year. The victim is a 7-year-old boy who died on November 3.

Characteristic spotted rash of Rocky Mountain spotted fever/CDC

The death occurred at the State Hospital of Sumaré (HES), after the child was admitted, referred by the Mário Gatti Hospital.

“The City Hall of Hortolândia carries out the placement of warning signs for the population in places in the city where the presence of ticks was found. In addition, the Department of Health distributes informational materials for the population with guidance on the disease and to look for the medical service, if necessary. The health units of the municipality are also always alert to the possibility of patients with spotted fever seeking the services of the municipal health network”, explained the municipal administration.

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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.