São Paulo – After confirmation of Mariana Giordano’s death from spotted fever, the Municipal Health Department of Campinas notified Fazenda Santa Margarida, in the district of Joaquim Egídio. In addition to the dentist, her boyfriend, the pilot Douglas Costa, and a 28-year-old woman, a resident of Hortolândia, died on the same day after participating in an event there.
In a statement, the ministry said it had launched a series of prevention, information and mobilization actions against Rocky Mountain spotted fever at Santa Margarida Farm, which is located in a region mapped as a risk area for the disease.
The event took place on May 27th, and the three died on June 8th. This is the “probable site of infection”, informs the secretariat.
According to the folder, those responsible for the farm were notified about the importance of signaling regarding the risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. “This information is essential for the person to adopt safe behaviors when visiting these spaces and also so that, after attending, if they show signs and symptoms, they can inform the doctor and facilitate the diagnosis.”
In the coming days, technicians from the Department of Health Surveillance (Devisa) will carry out a survey to check how the tick infestation is going (acarological survey) in the space.
So far, only Mariana’s biological material has been examined by the Adolfo Lutz Institute and confirmed for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The other two are still suspected.
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Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is curable, but treatment needs to be started early with appropriate antibiotics.
The director of Devisa, Andrea von Zuben, informs that the main symptom of the disease is a high fever that can be confused with other illnesses. “Therefore, it is important that the doctor always asks, or that the patient reports that he has been in a vegetation area with the presence of ticks or capybaras. With such a history, treatment should be started immediately, ”she reinforces.
Campinas and region are endemic areas for Rocky Mountain spotted fever. This year, with the case of the dentist, there are already three confirmations in the municipality so far. Two people were residents of the city and the third was a dentist from São Paulo.
Metrópoles contacted Fazenda Santa Margarida, but so far has not received a response to the questions. The space remains open.
The main symptoms of Rocky Mountain spotted fever are:
- Fever;
- Severe headache;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Diarrhea and abdominal pain;
- constant muscle pain;
- Swelling and redness on the palms and soles of the feet;
- Gangrene in the fingers and ears;
- Paralysis of the limbs that starts in the legs and goes up to the lungs causing respiratory arrest.
In the evolution of the disease, the appearance of red spots on the wrists and ankles is also common, which do not itch, but can increase towards the palms of the hands, arms or soles of the feet.
How is the transmission?
The transmission of the disease occurs in wild environments where the tick exists. Amblyomma cajennense, popularly known as star tick. For transmission to occur, the tick must remain attached to the skin for a period of about 4 hours.
How to protect yourself:
When hiking and outdoor leisure activities, some precautions must be taken to avoid Rocky Mountain spotted fever:
- Avoid walking, sitting and lying on lawns and in areas of known tick infestation;
- In wild areas, perform inspections on the body in search of ticks at three-hour intervals to reduce the risk of contracting the disease;
- If ticks are found on the body, do not crush the tick with your fingernails, as it can release bacteria and infect body parts with lesions;
- If you find the parasite, it must be removed lightly with twists and with the help of tweezers, avoiding contact with the nails. The faster they are removed, the less chance of infection;
- Use physical barriers, such as long pants, with the bottom inside the boots or thick socks;
- Use of light clothes to facilitate the visualization and removal of ticks.
