Mexico Travel Warning: CDC Highlights Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Danger

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a travel alert for Baja California, Mexico, cautioning against Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF).

This potentially fatal bacterial disease, transmitted by infected brown dog ticks often carried by pets, claimed the life of a San Diego resident who recently visited Baja California. RMSF cases have been identified in Mexican states like Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León.

The CDC’s level 1 travel advisory emphasizes prompt medical attention for travelers exhibiting RMSF symptoms during or within two weeks of returning to the U.S. Symptoms, including fever, headache, and rash, may surface within two to four days.

Swift antibiotic treatment, particularly with doxycycline, is crucial as RMSF can rapidly escalate, posing a higher risk for fatality in children under 10. San Diego County underscores the seriousness of RMSF, recalling the last local fatality in 2014. Travelers are urged to stay vigilant and seek immediate medical care if symptoms arise.