RIO DE JANEIRO, SP (FOLHAPRESS) - The state of Minas Gerais recorded 20 confirmed cases of spotted fever and three deaths from the disease this year, according to a report released this Tuesday (30) by SES-MG (Minas Gerais State Health Department). The deaths occurred among residents of the municipalities of Antônio Dias, Córrego Novo and Mutum.

Of the 20 confirmed cases, four were registered at ESA (School of Sergeants of Arms), in Três Corações, in the south of Minas. The patients are two residents of Três Corações, one from Juiz de Fora and one from Lambari. All were monitored by the health network and recovered.

According to SES-MG, despite the confirmations, the number of notifications remains within the expected range for the period of greatest circulation of the disease, which runs from April to October. The secretariat states that spotted fever occurs throughout the territory of Minas Gerais, with a greater concentration in the Centro, Vale do Aço, Leste and Leste do Sul macro-regions.

Historically, the people most affected by the disease in the state are between 41 and 60 years old, the majority of whom are men. The average lethality rate for spotted fever in Minas Gerais is approximately 30%, according to the secretariat.

SES-MG reported that it maintains weekly monitoring of cases together with municipalities and URS (Regional Health Units), in addition to the surveillance and prevention actions planned for the disease.

The main form of prevention is to avoid contact with the star tick, especially during the dry period.

When visiting areas with the presence of animals such as horses, capybaras and dogs, as well as parks, ecological reserves and the banks of lakes, the advice is to use icaridin-based repellent, wear light and long clothing, wear closed shoes and examine the body periodically to identify the presence of ticks.

If you find a tick attached to the skin, the recommendation is to remove it carefully, preferably with the help of tweezers, avoiding crushing the animal.

The secretariat also advises keeping pastures, lots and public areas clean and periodically using tick killers on dogs, horses and cattle, as per veterinary guidance.

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