“Deadly Tickborne Disease Outbreak in California: Three Fatalities Reported”

Six people in California have reportedly contracted a severe and fatal tickborne disease known as Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), with three individuals succumbing to the infection. The cases were reported to the California Department of Public Health between July 2023 and January 2024, as detailed in a Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The individuals were infected with the disease after being exposed to the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii through ticks in Tecate, Mexico, near the U.S. border. While northern Mexico has a high incidence of RMSF due to free-roaming dogs with brown dog ticks, Tecate was not previously considered a high-risk region for RMSF.

RMSF is a potentially fatal bacterial infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected ticks, primarily the American dog tick, the Rocky Mountain wood tick, and the brown dog tick. Early symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain, and a spotted red rash. Severe cases can lead to organ damage and long-term complications if left untreated.

The CDC report highlighted the importance of early treatment with antibiotics to reduce the risk of mortality. In 2022, there were 1,292 cases of Spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR) in the U.S., with an incidence rate of 0.31 per million people in California.

The six cases in California included individuals of various ages, with some recovering after treatment while others tragically passed away from the infection. The outbreak underscored the need for healthcare providers on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border to quickly treat suspected RMSF patients with doxycycline.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness and prevention when it comes to tick-borne diseases. The CDC report provides valuable insights into the outbreak and emphasizes the need for prompt medical intervention in suspected cases of RMSF.

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References:
Kjemtrup, A. M., et al. (2024). Severe and Fatal Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever After Exposure in Tecate, Mexico — California, July 2023–January 2024. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 73(47), 1069–1075. DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7347a1. [CDC Report Link]