São Paulo – The state of São Paulo is on alert against Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The possibility of new cases arising concerns the population and authorities. The likely focus of the outbreak in Campinas, Fazenda Santa Margarida received more than 13,500 people over a period of eight days, in two major events.
Many people from outside the region and even the state were there and may have been infected. As the incubation period for the disease takes up to 14 days, the recommendation is to pay full attention if symptoms appear (see below).
Until the night of this Wednesday (14/6), the Instituto Adolfo Lutz had 16 confirmed cases of spotted fever with seven deaths this year in the state. Last year, 63 cases and 44 deaths were registered. In 2021, 87 incidents and 48 people lost their lives.
Events at the farm targeted for epidemiological investigation are Feijoada do Rosa, held on May 27, with an audience of 3,500 people; and the concert by singer Seu Jorge, on June 3rd. According to the organizers, 10 thousand people participated.
Anyone who has been to one of the events and has a fever, body aches and headaches, skin rashes, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea should seek medical attention. This is because the star tick, found in the region, transmits the most serious and lethal form of the disease. If not treated in time, the risk of dying is great.
victims
The spotted fever outbreak registered in Campinas, following the events in Santa Margarida, has three confirmed victims (highlighted photo):
– Dentist Mariana Giordano, 36 years old, participated in Feijoada do Rosa, on May 27, and died on June 8. She was admitted to a private hospital in the city of São Paulo.
– The pilot Douglas Costa, 42, Mariana’s boyfriend, also attended the feijoada and died on 6/8, in a hospital in Campinas.
– Dentist Evelyn Karoline Santos, 28, resident of Hortolândia, was infected on feijoada day and died on 6/8.
Three cases are under analysis at Instituto Adolfo Lutz:
– Teenager Érissa Nicole Santos Santana, 16 years old, was at feijoada with her father and died on Tuesday night (13). She was hospitalized in Campinas.
– A 38-year-old woman, resident of Campinas, who was at Seu Jorge’s show, is hospitalized in the city and her health status is stable.
– A 40-year-old woman, resident of Hortolândia, who attended the feijoada. She presented symptoms on June 10 and is still hospitalized in a private hospital in Campinas.
SEE TOO
The Campinas region is endemic for Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with the highest record of cases in Brazil. Other risk areas are Piracicaba, Assis and Sorocaba.
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii, which is transmitted by some species of ticks.
The infection has a high lethality rate, but it is curable. Treatment should be started early with specific antibiotics.
Symptoms
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 Amblyomma cajennense tick, popularly known as the star tick, exists. 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 body checks for ticks at three-hour intervals to decrease the risk of contracting ticks.
illness;
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.
In a note, Fazenda Santa Margarida said that “all documentation is in compliance and regularity with the competent bodies and legal requirements, including the City Hall of Campinas”.
Feijoada do Rosa, on the other hand, expressed “deep regret” for the deaths and claimed to have held the last 10 events at Fazenda Santa Margarida without any problems.
