CDC Issues Level 1 Travel Advisory for Baja California, Mexico, Warning of Risk of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF)

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a level 1 travel advisory for Baja California, Mexico, warning travelers of the potential risk of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF). The disease is a potentially fatal bacterial infection spread through the bite of an infected brown dog tick, which can be carried by pets.

Symptoms of RMSF include fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, and a rash. The CDC urges travelers who develop symptoms of RMSF during travel, or within two weeks of returning to the U.S., to seek medical attention.

The warning comes after a San Diego, California, resident who traveled to Baja California died last month after contracting the disease, San Diego County Public Health Services reported. This is the first death from RMSF in San Diego since 2014.

The CDC has received reports of RMSF in travelers to the U.S. from Baja California, though it is unclear how many people have been affected. The agency is urging travelers to take precautions to protect themselves from tick bites, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellent, and checking for ticks after being outdoors.

The CDC is also recommending that travelers to Baja California take extra precautions to protect themselves from tick bites. These include wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, using insect repellent, and checking for ticks after being outdoors.

The CDC’s travel advisory is a reminder to take precautions when traveling to areas where tick-borne diseases are present. By following the CDC’s recommendations, travelers can reduce their risk of contracting RMSF and other tick-borne illnesses.