The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert for Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) in Southern California. The alert comes after an outbreak of the disease was identified in San Diego County.
RMSF is a bacterial disease that is spread through the bite of infected ticks. Humans and dogs can both get sick from RMSF. The disease can be fatal if not treated early.
The current outbreak is affecting people who have traveled to northern Mexico, particularly the city of Tecate, which is located about an hour south of San Diego. Since November 2023, six people have been hospitalized with RMSF, and four of them have died. All of the patients had traveled to Tecate within two weeks of their illness.
The early symptoms of RMSF include fever, headache, and muscle aches. Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and a rash. If you think you may have RMSF, it is important to see a doctor right away. Treatment with antibiotics is effective if started early.
Here are some tips for preventing RMSF:
- Use insect repellent that contains DEET or picaridin.
- Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when you are outdoors.
- Check yourself and your pets for ticks after you have been outdoors.
- Remove ticks promptly using tweezers.
If you are bitten by a tick and develop symptoms of RMSF, it is important to save the tick for identification. This will help your doctor determine if the tick was infected with RMSF.
Not all ticks carry RMSF. In Southern California, the main tick that carries RMSF is the brown dog tick.
The CDC is working with state and local health officials to investigate the outbreak and to raise awareness about RMSF.
For more information about RMSF, please visit the CDC website.
Additional Tips
- Be aware of the times of day when ticks are most active, which is typically dawn and dusk.
- Avoid areas where ticks are known to be present, such as wooded areas and tall grass.
- Keep your pets on tick prevention medication.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself and your loved ones from RMSF.
I hope this information is helpful. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
