Rare Tick-Borne Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Appears in Canada
Health authorities have confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Ontario and Quebec this year, raising concern about the disease’s spread. This tick-borne disease can affect both humans and pets, making awareness and prevention essential for families and pet owners.
What Is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia rickettsii. Though first identified in Idaho and Montana in the 1890s, it’s now appearing in parts of Canada.
Symptoms in humans typically include:
Fever and headache
Nausea or vomiting
Stomach pain and muscle aches
Loss of appetite
A red rash may develop two to four days after fever onset. Most people recover fully with antibiotics like doxycycline. However, untreated cases can be fatal in up to 25% of patients.
Dogs can also contract the disease, showing fever, lethargy, muscle pain, and sometimes a rash inside the mouth. Cases in Ontario have already resulted in fatalities among dogs.
How Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Spreads
The disease cannot pass from person to person. It spreads only through tick bites, primarily from the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), which thrives across southern parts of many provinces.
Other ticks that can carry the bacteria include:
Rocky Mountain wood tick (Dermacentor andersoni)
Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
Ticks often live in grassy and wooded areas, and they may hitch rides on pets, increasing risk to humans.
Where Is the Disease Found in Canada?
While rare, Rocky Mountain spotted fever is now appearing in new regions. Earlier this year, clusters were identified in dogs near Long Point Provincial Park in Ontario. Quebec recently reported a human case linked to possible exposure in Ontario or local tick-infested areas.
Experts suggest that milder winters and hotter, drier summers—likely linked to climate change—are enabling ticks to expand northward. Other tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and babesiosis have similarly spread in recent years.
Preventing Tick Exposure
Experts recommend practical measures to reduce tick risk for both humans and pets:
Stay on trails and avoid tall grass or leaf litter
Wear long sleeves, long pants, and insect repellent
Check yourself and pets for ticks after outdoor activities
Remove ticks promptly if found
Administer oral or topical tick preventives for dogs
Promptly mention possible tick exposure to doctors or veterinarians if illness occurs after visiting wooded or grassy areas. Early detection is key to effective treatment.
Final Thoughts
While Rocky Mountain spotted fever remains rare in Canada, its northward spread highlights the growing need for vigilance. Awareness, prevention, and timely treatment can protect both people and pets from this potentially serious tick-borne disease.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the latest updates on health, pets, and tick-borne diseases.
