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In the past weeks, at least four people in the state of São Paulo died as a result of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, transmitted by some types of ticks. Media outlets and experts point out, however, that although the fear is valid, the transmission is not generalized, and it is enough to be attentive when passing through risk areas.
Recent Cases
At least three people had confirmed deaths from Rocky Mountain spotted fever after participating in a party, on 27 May, at the Santa Margarida farm, in the district of Joaquim Egídio, in Campinas. All three died on 8 June. The fourth confirmed victim, a 16-year-old teenager, who was also at the party, died on Tuesday (13/06) and had the cause of death, also spotted fever, was confirmed on Thursday (15/06).
Cases Confirmed
On Friday (16/06), the Center for Epidemiological Surveillance of the State of São Paulo confirmed 2 new cases of the disease, reaching a total of 19 cases recorded in São Paulo in 2023, with 9 deaths.
Affected Regions
According to doctors, the disease is common in the Southeast region of the country and in the north of Paraná. At the moment, the points most affected by the contaminated star tick are the macro-region of Campinas and Piracicaba, including places like Jundiaí and Mogi Mirim.
753 people died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Brazil between 2012 and 2022. Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that the country had 2,157 confirmed cases over 10 years, 36% of them registered in São Paulo.
Over 10 years, the Midwest had 31 cases and 1 death in Mato Grosso, in 2014; the Northeast had 34 cases and 1 death in Pernambuco, in 2015; the North had 16 cases and no deaths; the Southeast had 1,354 cases and 673 deaths, mostly in São Paulo; the South had 497 cases and 3 deaths, all in Paraná, in 2015 and 2017.
The Disease
According to information from the Ministry of Health, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious, acute febrile disease of varying severity. It is not contagious, meaning it cannot be transmitted from one person to another.
The symptoms include: fever; severe headache; nausea and vomiting; diarrhea and abdominal pain; constant muscle pain; swelling and redness on the palms and soles of the feet; gangrene in fingers and ears; paralysis of the limbs that starts in the legs and goes up to the lungs, causing respiratory arrest.
Treatment is carried out with specific antibiotics, according to the Ministry of Health. It is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as the first symptoms appear. To avoid the disease, the best way is to not go to the areas with contaminated ticks. However, when this is not possible, there are a few measures that can be helpful, such as wearing clothes that cover arms and legs completely.
