Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), one of the deadliest infectious diseases, is increasingly spreading across the Americas due to insufficient awareness, research, and resources. Experts at the American Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene’s 2024 annual meeting highlighted the urgent need to address this bacterial disease, which can lead to fatalities within days if untreated.
RMSF, caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii and transmitted by ticks, presents a rapid progression from vague symptoms like fever and headache to severe outcomes, including organ failure and death. The disease is marked by a rash of red spots that typically appears three to four days after the onset of symptoms. Without early treatment using the antibiotic doxycycline, the case fatality rate (CFR) can reach as high as 50% in some regions, such as São Paulo, Brazil.
In northern Mexico, RMSF has become a severe public health crisis, disproportionately impacting impoverished communities. Over the past 15 years, nearly 10,000 cases have been documented there, with outbreaks fueled by uncontrolled tick populations and stray dogs.
Delayed diagnosis due to RMSF’s nonspecific early symptoms is a critical factor. In many cases, patients die within a week of symptom onset. Survivors may face lifelong consequences, such as cognitive impairments and amputations caused by gangrene.
Experts, including Gerardo Álvarez-Hernández of the University of Sonora, emphasize that combating RMSF requires:
Addressing RMSF requires not only scientific and medical efforts but also significant political commitment and resources. Álvarez-Hernández stresses the urgency of coordinated action to prevent further loss of life.
“We need political will, resources, budgets, and scientific effort,” he said. “It’s time to stop neglecting this deadly disease.”
With increased awareness and targeted interventions, RMSF could be controlled and its devastating toll on vulnerable populations significantly reduced.
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