Reports of a fatal tick disease are causing concern throughout the country. Sadly, several have already died from exposure to the illness.
Do you know how to keep yourself safe from this devastating infection?
Today, we’re bringing you all the critical information about Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever so you’ll know what to look out for the next time you venture into the woods.
Let’s take a bite!
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Blamed for Deaths in the US
In early December 2023, news channels reported an outbreak of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). The event took place in Southern California. Doctors diagnosed four children and one adult with the disease. Sadly, three of them later died.
It appears the common denominator is that they all recently spent time in Tecate, Mexico.
The Centers for Disease Control made a statement alerting doctors to the event and urging them to test for the illness. They said, “RMSF is a severe, rapidly progressive, and often deadly disease transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, although many patients do not recall being bitten by a tick.”
If you live in the Southern US or plan to travel to Mexico, you’ll want more information on this deadly infection.
What is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a rapidly progressing bacterial disease that ticks carry and spread. You might have a headache and a low-grade fever in the days following exposure. Muscle aches, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal issues may follow. You can also develop a rash that ranges from tiny pin-pricks to large red splotches.
If it isn’t treated quickly, it can cause brain swelling, respiratory problems, and organ failure.
RMSF is fatal in some instances. About half of those who succumb to the illness pass within eight days of exposure. Most survivors don’t sustain long-term damage, but others aren’t so lucky. Depending on the severity, some experience hearing loss, paralysis, or mental disabilities. In extreme cases, damage to blood vessels can result in amputation.
Because the early stages are so vague, doctors don’t always run the blood tests required for diagnosis. Tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms and have spent time in suspected areas.
This fatal disease is endemic in Northern Mexico and the American Southwest, although cases have appeared throughout the US and Canada. It appears in places where the ground temperature reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit and ticks are present.
It’s important to note that most cases appear in warmer months. And, despite the disease’s name, scientists have traced more than half of all US instances back to North Carolina, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri.
However, this event suggests the illness is spreading westward, so assume you’re susceptible no matter where you live.
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How Ticks Transmit This Fatal Disease
Several species carry the bacterium that causes RMSF, Rickettsia rickettsii. The American dog tick spreads it throughout the US, while the brown dog tick affects the South, and the Rocky Mountain wood tick transmits it in western states.
When an insect carrying R. rickettsii bites a person or animal, the bacteria enter the bloodstream. These bugs generally take four to six hours to infect their victims. That means you should be safe if you remove a tick within minutes of the initial bite. But it’s better to use caution and seek treatment if you have any symptoms.
Contact with the blood or feces of these bugs also puts you at risk. Avoid crushing these insects with your bare hands if possible.
While animals can also become infected, you can’t catch it from your pets. However, if your four-legged friend brings a tick inside, it could eventually bite you.
Is There a Cure for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Fortunately, there’s a cure for Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever if it’s detected early on. Antibiotics, such as tetracycline or chloramphenicol, are effective ways to combat the disease. Many doctors recommend treating even mild cases with doxycycline to avoid progression.
Most patients must continue taking medication for several days after their fever breaks.
Of course, death is more likely when it isn’t diagnosed right away. While the overall fatality rate is between three and five percent, that number spikes to 25% for untreated patients.
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How to Prevent Tick Bites
Although there’s no vaccine against Rocky Mountian Spotted Fever, preventative measures can reduce your risk of infection.
The first step is to know where ticks hang out. These opportunistic critters spend time in areas with high grasses and underbrush. Whether you’re camping in the woods or gardening in your backyard, chances are good that these insects are probably all around you.
Before you head out into nature, spray yourself with tick repellent. Bug spray with DEET is especially effective.
You can also treat your clothing with bug spray containing 0.5% permethrin. Instructions typically include applying it to your clothing in a well-ventilated area and letting each piece dry before getting dressed.
Opt for long-sleeved shirts, pants, high socks, and boots for added protection. Light colors allow you to spot them before they chomp into your skin.
When you get out on the trail, stick to the center, where you’re less likely to brush against plants. Avoid walking through high grass, brushy undergrowth, or heavy leaf litter if possible.
Finally, after spending time outside, it’s important to inspect your entire body for uninvited guests. Ask a loved one to help with hard-to-see spots. Don’t forget to check your scalp, naval, and any crevices where they might hide. Remember that tick saliva contains a numbing agent, so you probably won’t feel a bite.
Try the Home Sake Tick Remover Tool to make the job easier!
Don’t Let This Illness Bug You
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is on the rise throughout the US. In fact, nearly every state has confirmed reports of the illness. While most cases appear in the Southeast, they’re also showing up on the West Coast.
But don’t let your fear of this fatal tick disease keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. If you take precautions like wearing protective clothing, using bug spray, and checking yourself for unwelcome visitors, you shouldn’t have to worry!
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