Spotted fever causes death and Araras City Hall announces measures Four people died from spotted fever in 7 months of this year in three cities in the interior of São Paulo. Of the total number of victims, 3 were children, two from Araras and one from Leme. In Araras, the city council began special training with health professionals and local hospitals to speed up the identification of the disease during initial care. The municipality is investigating 25 suspected cases of the disease. ? Spotted fever is a serious infectious disease caused by bacteria transmitted by the bite of infected ticks, which can be carried by animals such as dogs, horses and capybaras. (See below how to prevent). ? Follow g1 São Carlos and Araraquara on Instagram Deaths in the region The infectious disease is transmitted through infected star ticks and for which there is no vaccine G1 The deaths recorded this year are: MACAWS: an 8-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl, who died on January 14 and 20 respectively. PIRASSUNUNGA: an 83-year-old man who died on May 18. LEME: a 9-year-old girl who died on June 18. Santa Rita do Passa Quatro (2), Porto Ferreira (2) and São José do Rio Pardo (1) investigate 5 suspected cases of the disease. Challenge of early diagnosis One of the main concerns of medical authorities is the rapid worsening of the disease due to delays in diagnosis. As the initial symptoms of spotted fever — high fever, intense body aches (myalgia), abdominal pain and red spots — are very similar to those of other common illnesses, such as dengue, many patients end up receiving inadequate treatment. Although it is an aggressive disease, the treatment of spotted fever is relatively simple, based on the use of antibiotics. If started in the first week, the patient usually recovers well. However, the lack of the correct medicine can be fatal. Faced with the critical scenario and the death of the two children, who studied at the same school and lived in the Jardim Aeroporto neighborhood, the City of Araras initiated special training with health professionals and local hospitals to speed up the diagnosis. REMINDER DEATHS: 9-year-old girl died of spotted fever in the interior of SP, says city hall Two children die from spotted fever in the interior of SP Areas of risk and prevention Risk area for spotted fever in Araras (SP) Reproduction/EPTV In Araras, a scan mapped risk areas and where warning signs were installed. Among the critical points are: Parque Ecológico and Córrego Andrezinho: both very popular for outdoor physical activities) Avenida Dona Renata: records the crossing of capybaras. Areas with free-roaming horses and gated communities with forests and lakes. Contagion can occur at any stage of the tick's life, from the period in which it is known as a "mite" to adulthood. For the bacteria to be transmitted, the tick must remain attached to the skin for around four hours. The fundamental recommendation for those who visit forested areas or areas with tall vegetation is to wear light-colored clothing (which makes it easier to see the parasite) and examine their bodies and pets immediately after the walk. If a person develops a fever and body aches within two days of visiting these places, they must immediately seek out a health unit and inform the doctor that they have been in a risk area. See EPTV1 report in full: Araras intensifies actions against spotted fever after confirmation of two deaths from the disease EPTV VIDEOS: See more news from the region on our WhatsApp channel