An increase in human cases of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Yucatan, Mexico, involving children.
The first human case of infection caused by Rickettsia in Yucatan was detected in 1996, and it was determined that the species was R. felis. Since then, passive epidemiologic surveillance was implemented to search for human cases in the public hospitals of the state, and in 2005, the first human case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever was detected. During the following 2 years, eight new confirmed cases and one probable case were identified. Seven cases involved children younger than 12 years of age, with a fatal outcome in three of the cases. Children are a particularly vulnerable population for this serious emerging infection.
Zavala-Castro
Jorge E
JE
Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida Yucatán, Mexico. zcastro@uady.mx
Dzul-Rosado
Karla R
KR
León
Juan José Arias
JJ
Walker
David H
DH
Zavala-Velázquez
Jorge E
JE
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002701:Chloramphenicol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012373:Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002701:Chloramphenicol; D004318:Doxycycline