OMG, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Just Hit Quebec 😱

The Tea

Okay, so listen up. Quebec just had its first confirmed case of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and it's kinda a big deal. Some dude in the Eastern Townships is currently recovering after getting treated with antibiotics. Word is, they're doing okay now, which is a W.

But here's the tea: RMSF is no joke. It's a tick-borne illness that can seriously mess you up, even be life-threatening. We're talking high fevers and a rash that's, like, super sus. The good news is if you catch it early and get those antibiotics poppin', you should be good. But real talk, this RMSF is caused by the bacterium called *Rickettsia rickettsiae* and the death rate from RMSF in the U.S. is between 5 and 10 percent, even with treatment!

So, why is this happening now? Climate change, bestie. 🌍🔥 Apparently, it's making the environment way more tick-friendly, so they're spreading out and bringing their diseases with them. One of the ticks that trasmits the disease is Dermacentor or the "American dog" tick. It's also different from Lyme disease, which is already a thing on the Island of Montreal. A 2019 study predicted more ticks and tick-borne illness so no cap, this has been predicted.

Dr. Alex Carignan, from Sherbrooke University, said that new tick-borne infections are a new reality and that it's important to raise awareness.

So, what can you do to stay safe? Simple: cover up, wear long sleeves and pants and use bug spray when you're out in nature. After being outside, shower and check yourself for ticks. According to the Quebec Institute of Public Health (INSPQ) it is best to stay on designated trails, wear long, light-colored clothing, use insect repellent, showering after outdoor activities, examining skin, clothing, and pets, and using fine-tipped tweezers to remove ticks.. If you find one, yank it out with tweezers ASAP. Don't let those bloodsuckers ruin your vibe!