So far this year, six people have died in Ensenada from symptoms related to rickettsiosis, commonly known as rickettsia, confirmed the Secretary of Health of Baja California, Adrián Medina Amarillas.
He acknowledged that the situation in Ensenada is causing concern among authorities, as the municipality has the highest number of deaths in the state, accounting for just over a third of the 15 reported so far in 2016.
The remaining deaths are concentrated in Tijuana, with four fatalities, Mexicali with three, and finally Vicente Guerrero, with five deaths related to the disease.
“If the problem isn’t addressed early, and the disease is allowed to progress in children or adolescents, who are the most commonly affected, it can lead to serious complications and even death,” said Medina Amarillas.
Medina Amarillas warned that the disease, transmitted through the bite of the brown dog tick, has a common natural history and symptoms, so if it isn’t detected in time, it can be fatal for patients.
Given this situation, the official emphasized that prevention measures will be reinforced, especially in the Ensenada area, with public awareness campaigns and training for doctors in private hospitals and clinics attached to pharmacies, who are the closest to the patients.
So far in 2016, 36 confirmed cases of rickettsiosis have been reported in Baja California. Mexicali leads the list with 12 cases, followed by Ensenada and Tijuana with 11 each, and two more cases detected in Vicente Guerrero (San Quintín).
Source: oem
