An increase in human cases of spotted fever rickettsiosis in Yucatan, Mexico, involving children

Jorge E. Zavala-Castro, Karla R. Dzul-Rosado, Juan José Arias León, David H. Walker, Jorge E. Zavala-Velázquez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)907-910
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Volume79
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Parasitology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

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