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An Increase in Human Cases of Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis in Yucatan, Mexico, Involving Children

The first human case of infection caused by Rickettsia in Yucatan was detected in 1996, and it was determined that the species was R. felis. Since then, passive epidemiologic surveillance was implemented to search for human cases in the public hospitals of the state, and in 2005, the first human case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever was detected. During the following 2 years, eight new confirmed cases and one probable case were identified. Seven cases involved children younger than 12 years of age, with a fatal outcome in three of the cases. Children are a particularly vulnerable population for this serious emerging infection.

Received March 7, 2008. Accepted for publication July 5, 2008.

Financial support: This research was supported by grants from the CONACyT (44064-M) to J.E.Z.-V.

^* Address correspondence to David H. Walker, Department of Pathology, Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Galveston, TX 77555-0609. E-mail: dwalker{at}utmb.edu

Authors’ addresses: Jorge E. Zavala-Castro, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clnica y Epidemiolíógica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida Yucatán, México, E-mail: zcastro{at}uady.mx. Karla R. Dzul-Rosado, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Mérida Yucatán, México, E-mail: rossanet80{at}hotmail.com. Juan José Arias León, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán. Mérida Yucatán, México, E-mail: juanjose.arias{at}uady.mx. David H. Walker, University of Texas Medical Branch, Department of Pathology, Galveston, TX, E-mail: dwalker{at}utmb.edu. Jorge E. Zavala-Velázquez, Facultad de Medicina, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida Yucatán, México, E-mail: zavala{at}uady.mx.

Reprint requests: Jorge E. Zavala-Castro, Unidad Interinstitucional de Investigación Clínica y Epidemiológica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Avenida Itzaes No. 498 x 59 y 59^a, Centro CP 9700, Merida, Yucatán, México, E-mail: zcastro{at}uady.mx.