First case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever or RMSF, which is a tick-borne disease has been confirmed in Quebec. The case has been confirmed by the doctor on Monday and the patient, infected in the Eastern Townships is said to have responded well with the treatment.As per Dr Alex Carignan, an infectious disease microbiology and professor at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Sherbrooke, since the temperatures are rising and warming up, more of such cases could be infected. He told Le Devoir, "It is worrying because it is an infection with significant severity."What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RMSF is a bacterial disease spread through the bite of infected tick. As per the National Institute of Health (NIH), US, it is an acute febrile tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, and is most severe and most common form of the rickettsial infections in North America.The disease can be treated with antibiotics, however if not treated in time, it could be fatal too. The NIH notes that the R. rickettsia transmits into human hosts by the bite of an infected tick. Humans are not a natural reservoir of disease. The Rickettsia does not harm the tick.Common Symptoms Of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever:High feverHeadacheMuscle PainStomach PainLack of appetiteSkin lesion in forms of red spotsThe symptoms appear within few hours of being bitten.Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Contagious? How Does It Spread?CDC notes that in the US, the most common source is the American dog tick or the Dermacentor variabilis. In parts of southwestern United States and Mexico, it is also spread by the Brown dog tick or the Rhipicephalus sanguineus. There is another source the Rocky Mountain wood tick or the Dermacentor andersoni, which is also a significant source of RMSF.In terms of Canada, Dr Carignan notes that the tick species has been present in Quebec for several years now. "We expected to see the first cases appear within five to ten years. But it's finally now. So, we have to adapt accordingly," he told Le Devoir.Is This Same As The Lyme Disease?No, it is not. Unlike the black-legged tick, the American dog tick does not transmit Lyme disease. In addition to affecting humans, the Rocky Mountain spotted fever can also affect animals.PreventionDr Carignan notes: "Taking a shower fairly quickly can also help dislodge any ticks that my be settling in."The doctor advises that people must wear long clothing, use insect repellent, and check for ticks after they have been outdoors.However, there is no vaccine to prevent RMSF, notes the CDC. The most common time for such cases, notes the CDC is between April to September.The diagnosis is not too complicated. Your healthcare provider may order blood tests to look for evidence of RMSF, the results, however, can take a few weeks.It is treated with antibiotic doxycycline, which, notes the CDC, has been approved for all ages. The NIH, US, notes that without prompt antibiotic treatments, the mortality rates could go as high as 20 to 30% in the case of RMSF.
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