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Tick Bite Kills Boy, Family Seeks Answers
14 Feb
Summary
- An eight-year-old boy died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- His family alleges treatment failures and demands investigation.
- Brazil reported a second child's death from the disease.
An eight-year-old boy, Jonathan Luiz Campagna, passed away on January 14 due to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a rare and deadly disease contracted from a tick bite. His family, distraught over his rapid deterioration and the circumstances surrounding his medical care, has filed a police report seeking an investigation into alleged treatment failures.
Jonathan had received medical attention multiple times with varying diagnoses before his death at Santa Casa hospital in Araras, Sao Paulo state, Brazil. The US Centers for Disease Control notes that early symptoms like headache, fever, and rash can be easily confused with other viral illnesses, making prompt diagnosis critical.
Officials stated it's impossible to pinpoint where Jonathan was infected, and the urgent care unit maintained that his treatment followed national and state protocols, with an internal review conducted. The city hall of Araras has reinforced protocols for suspected spotted fever and advised residents to inform doctors of recent exposure to green or rural areas.
Authorities confirmed a second child, a nine-year-old girl, also died from spotted fever in January, with her infection possibly occurring in a green area. State epidemiology teams are conducting broader assessments in the city.
