Is Rocky Mountain spotted fever a new or emerging infectious disease?
No. However, because of the seriousness of the disease, continued efforts are needed to increase awareness and encourage prevention. How can Rocky Mountain spotted fever be prevented? No vaccine is available to protect humans against Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The best way to avoid getting the disease is to avoid areas such as the woods or fields where ticks are found. If this is not possible, you can reduce your risk by taking these precautions: • Control the tick population on your property. Keep pets tick-free. Mow grass often in yards and outside fences. • During outside activities in wooded areas and around tall grass, wear long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks. • Use insecticides to repel or kill ticks. Repellents containing the compound DEET can be used on exposed skin except for the face, but they do not kill ticks and are not 100% effective in discouraging ticks from biting. Products containing permethrin kill ticks, but they cannot be used on the skin — only on cl
