Rocky Mountain spotted fever is a neglected tropical disease in Latin America

Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a severe and extraordinarily lethal infectious disease, has emerged as a widespread public health crisis among predominantly vulnerable populations in several countries of Latin America, particularly evident in northern Mexico. Historically, RMSF has gained less...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLoS neglected tropical diseases 2024-07, Vol.18 (7), p.e0012276
Main Authors: Álvarez-Hernández, Gerardo, Paddock, Christopher D, Walker, David H, Valenzuela, Jesus G, Calleja-López, J R Tadeo, Rivera-Rosas, Cristian Noé, Sotelo-Mundo, Rogerio Rafael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biology and Life Sciences
Humans
Latin America - epidemiology
Medicine and health sciences
Neglected Diseases - epidemiology
Neglected Diseases - prevention & control
People and places
Physiological aspects
Public health
Rocky Mountain spotted fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever - epidemiology
Social aspects
Tropical Medicine
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Description
Summary:Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), a severe and extraordinarily lethal infectious disease, has emerged as a widespread public health crisis among predominantly vulnerable populations in several countries of Latin America, particularly evident in northern Mexico. Historically, RMSF has gained less attention than many other tropical infectious diseases, resulting in insufficient allocations of resources and development of capabilities for its prevention and control in endemic regions. We argue that RMSF fulfills accepted criteria for a neglected tropical disease (NTD). The relative neglect of RMSF in most Latin American countries contributes to disparities in morbidity and mortality witnessed in this region. By recognizing RMSF as an NTD, an increased public policy interest, equitable and more appropriate allocation of resources, scientific interest, and social participation can ameliorate the impact of this potentially treatable disease, particularly in vulnerable populations.
ISSN:1935-2735
1935-2727
1935-2735
DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012276