One dead in Southern Illinois of Rocky Mountain spotted fever Friday, August 22, 2008 9:07 AM CDT THE SOUTHERN
Officials with the state's public health department are warning about the risks of Rocky Mountain spotted fever after their office reported a death from the disease in Southern Illinois.
A Thursday afternoon release, from the Illinois Department of Public Health did not give the victim's name, age, or location and officials at the department were unavailable for comment Thursday evening.
Jackson County Coroner Thomas Kupferer said he had not seen a case of the fever recently.
"I've seen two cases in the (25-year) history of my practice," he said. "It can go unnoticed if they (victims) don't realize they've been bit."
Reached by phone, Gallatin County Coroner Tony Cox, said he didn't handle the case in his county but that he had "heard of a case" in the region.
Officials in the Williamson County Coroner's office were unavailable for comment as to whether the death occurred in their county.
In the state health department news release, the department's Director, Damon Arnold said the fever is a growing concern.
"We have detected an increase in the number of cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, primarily in Southern Illinois," he said in the release. "By taking a few precautions like wearing insect repellent and performing tick checks, you can greatly reduce your risk of contracting tick-borne diseases, like Rocky Mountain spotted fever."
The Center for Disease Control website describes the fever as "species of bacteria that is spread to humans by ixodid (hard) ticks. Initial signs and symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain, followed by development of rash.
"The disease can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, and without prompt and appropriate treatment it can be fatal."
Arnold stressed the importance of taking preventative measures against the tick-borne disease.
Some of the suggestions to guard against the disease included wearing long sleeves, tucking pants into socks and walking in the center of trails to avoid brushing against weeds.
The state also recommended checking yourself and family members often for ticks.
The article says "Initial signs and symptoms of the disease include sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain, followed by development of rash."
That is ALOT of symptoms.
Then the article says "The disease can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, and without prompt and appropriate treatment it can be fatal."
Well, yes, fatal if the stupid doctor ignores all the symptoms.