CDC Issues Health Alert for Deadly Tick-Borne Disease Outbreak in California and Mexico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a health alert regarding an outbreak of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a rare but deadly tick-borne disease. Five patients in Southern California, three of whom died, were hospitalized after traveling to or living in a Mexican border city. RMSF is transmitted by infected ticks primarily found on dogs and has reached epidemic levels in northern Mexico. The CDC is urging clinicians near the U.S.-Mexico border to be aware of the disease, especially during the holiday season when travel between the regions is common. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial as the disease can be fatal if left untreated.