CDC Issues Travel Advisory for Deadly Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Outbreak in Mexico

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a travel advisory for Mexico due to reports of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). The disease has been found in urban areas in northern Mexican states, including Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, and Nuevo León. Ticks spread the bacteria that causes RMSF, and dogs can carry these ticks, but the disease is not transmitted from person to person. The CDC advises using insect repellents, checking for ticks, using tick-preventatives on dogs, and seeking medical attention if symptoms develop after traveling to northern Mexico. Symptoms include fever, headache, and rash, with children under 10 being at higher risk of death if not treated early.