ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG AMERICAN INDIANS

LINDA J. DEMMA Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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ROBERT C. HOLMAN Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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CHRISTINA A. MIKOSZ Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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AARON T. CURNS Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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DAVID L. SWERDLOW Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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EDNA L. PAISANO Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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JAMES E. CHEEK Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Division of Program Statistics, Indian Health Service, Rockville, Maryland; Division of Epidemiology, Indian Health Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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To describe the epidemiology of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) among American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs), we conducted a retrospective analysis of hospitalization records with an RMSF diagnosis using Indian Health Service (IHS) hospital discharge data for calendar years 1980–2003. A total of 261 RMSF hospitalizations were reported among AIs, for an average annual hospitalization rate of 1.21 per 100,000 persons; two deaths were reported (0.8%). Most hospitalizations (88.5%) occurred in the Southern Plains region, where the rate was 4.23 per 100,000 persons. Children 1–4 years of age had the highest age-specific hospitalization rate of 2.50 per 100,000 persons. The overall annual RMSF hospitalization rate declined during the study period. Understanding the epidemiology of RMSF among AI/ANs and educating IHS/tribal physicians on the diagnosis of tick-borne diseases remain important for the prompt treatment of RMSF and the reduction of the disease occurrence among AI/ANs, particularly in high-risk areas.

Author Notes

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