SP has more than half of the deaths from Rocky Mountain spotted fever – 06/14/2023 – Health

The state of São Paulo concentrates 62% of the 928 deaths from spotted fever registered in the country in the last 16 years, from 2007 until this Wednesday (14). The data are from the epidemiological bulletin of the Ministry of Health.

According to the folder, 53 cases of the disease have already been confirmed in Brazil this year, of which eight resulted in deaths. São Paulo registered 12 cases, six of which died, four cases of cure and two are still under investigation.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever was the cause of death for pilot Douglas Pereira Costa, 42, and his girlfriend, dentist Mariana Giodano, 36. As well as another young woman, Evely Santos, 28, who lives in Hortolândia (109 km from SP).

This Tuesday (13), a 16-year-old teenager who was hospitalized in Campinas with suspected spotted fever and who was at Santa Margarida Farm, the same where the other three were, also died.

The farm is considered the likely site of infection, according to the city of Campinas. The Seo Rosa restaurant, responsible for the event at the farm, said it learned of the “fatality”, but that “it is not confirmed that they caught the tick on the spot”.

According to Alexandre Naime, vice-president of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases, deaths are more concentrated in the Southeast because this region has more favorable terrain for the proliferation of the star tick, which is primarily responsible for transmitting Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Naime also explained that most cases occur in men, because they are usually the ones who go to work in the field in greater numbers.

“At this time of year, the tick reproduces more frequently, and, consequently, there are more deaths. What is happening in São Paulo is a localized outbreak, but it does not mean that this year there are more cases”, he explained.

The disease is transmitted by ticks infected by the bacteria. rickettsia rickettsii. They attach themselves to the skin of humans (and other mammals) to feed and, in doing so, eventually pass on the disease.

The main transmitter of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the star tick. Its scientific name is Amblyomma cajennense. He is a small brown arachnid that, after feeding, can become as fat as a bean. There is no transmission from person to person.

The Ministry of Health said, through a note, that it maintains contact with the state of São Paulo to monitor surveillance and assistance actions, providing technical support and assisting in carrying out the actions.

He also said that the folder distributes antimicrobials to the states for the treatment of spotted fever, and has been promoting recurrent training actions aimed at state and municipal surveillance, involving surveillance and health care professionals.

In areas considered at risk, the folder recommends the use of clothes that cover the whole body, with priority for pants, blouses or T-shirts with long sleeves and closed shoes. And especially light colored clothing.

“In this way, ticks can be seen more easily by the body. Examine the body frequently. The faster the ticks are removed, the lower the chances of infections. If the animal is infested with ticks, seek advice from a veterinarian” , said the briefcase.

The doctor should be sought as soon as symptoms appear, usually between the 7th and 14th day after the bite. The picture includes high fever, body pain, severe headache, malaise, reddish spots on the body and purple spots. Worsening occurs around the fourth or fifth day.

“Timely treatment is essential to avoid more serious forms of the disease and deaths. As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is important that the patient seeks health units for medical evaluation and treatment available in the SUS”, said the Ministry of Health.

The health department of São Paulo was contacted, but had not returned until the publication of this text.