MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2024 Nov 28;73(47):1069-1075. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7347a1.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is a tickborne disease endemic in areas of the Americas. Persistent high incidence of the disease exists in northern Mexico, perpetuated by local populations of brown dog ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato) and free-roaming dogs. Six cases of RMSF caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, including three deaths, were reported to the California Department of Public Health during July 2023-January 2024. All six patients were eventually determined to have had exposure to R. rickettsii in Tecate, Mexico, a municipality on the U.S. border that had not been previously described as a high-risk RMSF area. Identification and reporting of the cases were complicated by challenges in diagnosis. The serious nature of the disease and delays in initiating appropriate treatment can result in life-threatening consequences. Epidemiologic collaborations among local, state, federal, and international public health agencies were essential to identifying Tecate as the location of exposure. Further collaborations will be important for directing future prevention measures. Increased health care provider awareness of RMSF is critical on both sides of the border to facilitate earlier diagnosis and initiation of appropriate treatment.
落矶山斑点热（RMSF）是一种流行于美洲地区的蜱传疾病。墨西哥北部持续存在着该病的高发发病率，这是由当地的棕色犬蜱（Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato）和流浪犬传播的。2023 年 7 月至 2024 年 1 月期间，加利福尼亚州公共卫生部报告了 6 例由立克次体引起的 RMSF 病例，包括 3 例死亡。所有 6 名患者最终都被确定在墨西哥蒂卡特（Tecate）暴露于 R. rickettsii，蒂卡特是美国边境的一个自治市，以前并未被描述为高风险 RMSF 地区。由于诊断方面的挑战，病例的识别和报告变得复杂。该疾病的严重性以及延迟开始适当治疗可能导致危及生命的后果。地方、州、联邦和国际公共卫生机构之间的流行病学合作对于确定蒂卡特为暴露地点至关重要。进一步的合作对于指导未来的预防措施将很重要。提高边境两侧的医疗保健提供者对 RMSF 的认识对于促进早期诊断和开始适当治疗至关重要。
