Rocky Mountain spotted fever risk factors

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ilan Dock, B.S.

Overview

The primary risk factors associated with Rocky Mountain spotted fever are exposure to endemic environment and the time of that exposure. Wood Ticks have been identified as the primary vector of Rocky Mountain spotted fever infections, thus being bitten in an endemic area may result in the contraction of the disease.

Risk Factors

Tick Bites

  • Individuals with frequent exposure to dogs and who reside near wooded areas or areas with high grass may also be at increased risk of infection.
Region of Exposure
  • Over half of the cases occur in the South Atlantic region of the United States (Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida).
  • The highest incidence rates have been found in North Carolina and Oklahoma.
  • Although this disease was first discovered and recognized in the Rocky Mountain area, relatively few cases are reported from that area today. [1]
Season of Exposure
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a seasonal disease and occurs throughout the United States during the months of April through September. [2]

Demographics

  • The frequency of reported cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is highest among males, particularly of Caucasian and American Indian descent.
  • Incidence rate is highest among children between the ages of less than 10 years of age, particularly 5-9, and adults between the ages of 40-64. [3]
  • Children ages 0-9 and adults ages 60 or higher are at a higher risk of fatality.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Statistics. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). http://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/stats/ Accessed on December 30, 2015
  2. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Information. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015). http://www.cdc.gov/rmsf/ Accessed on December 30, 2015
  3. Dantas-Torres, Filipe. Lancet Infect Disease 2007;7:724-32. Department of Immunology, Center of Research Aggeu Magalhaes, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Recife Pernambuco, Brazil. Volume 7, November 2007. Accessed on January 11, 2016