Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Detected in Ontario and Quebec: Symptoms, Risks, and How to Protect Yourself and Pets
This year, a potentially fatal disease was discovered in Ontario and Quebec.
Quebec has reported a case of the potentially fatal tick-borne disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which was most likely acquired in Ontario or Quebec. This sickness was also seen in dogs in Ontario earlier this year.
Here's everything you should know about preventing, detecting, and treating the disease.
What exactly is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Here's everything you should know about preventing, detecting, and treating the disease.
What exactly is Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever?
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is caused by the bacterium Rickettsia rickettsii. It was first discovered in the Rocky Mountain valleys of Idaho and Montana in the 1890s, hence its name.
Human symptoms may include a fever, headache, nausea or vomiting, stomach pain, muscle pain, and loss of appetite.
The condition is named after the red rash that appears two to four days following the fever. The rash can take the form of tiny spots or crimson splotches.
The condition can be treated with the simple antibiotic doxycycline, and the majority of patients recover completely.
However, even with therapy, five to ten percent of cases in the United States are fatal, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Without therapy, one in every four people dies from the condition.
The condition is named after the red rash that appears two to four days following the fever. The rash can take the form of tiny spots or crimson splotches.
The condition can be treated with the simple antibiotic doxycycline, and the majority of patients recover completely.
However, even with therapy, five to ten percent of cases in the United States are fatal, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Without therapy, one in every four people dies from the condition.
Dogs can also contract Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
Dr. Scott Weese, head of the University of Guelph's Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, stated that symptoms in dogs include fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and muscle aches that make the animals reluctant to move. The rash can sometimes be found inside the dog's mouth.
The condition, like in humans, can be fatal in dogs, and according to Weese, one of the first canines diagnosed with the sickness in Ontario died as a result.
Dr. Scott Weese, head of the University of Guelph's Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, stated that symptoms in dogs include fever, lethargy, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and muscle aches that make the animals reluctant to move. The rash can sometimes be found inside the dog's mouth.
The condition, like in humans, can be fatal in dogs, and according to Weese, one of the first canines diagnosed with the sickness in Ontario died as a result.
How It Spreads
Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) is not spread person-to-person. It is transmitted through bites from infected ticks, mainly the American dog tick, found across much of Canada. Other carriers include the Rocky Mountain wood tick and the brown dog tick. These ticks thrive in grassy and wooded areas, and pets can bring them indoors, increasing human risk.
Where It Exists
United States: About 6,000 cases yearly, mostly in southern states like North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas.
Canada: Rare, but cases have appeared in British Columbia, Ontario, and Quebec. Experts warn that climate change is allowing ticks—and the diseases they carry—to spread further north.
Protecting People & Pets
For people:
- Stay on marked trails and avoid tall grass.
- Wear long sleeves, pants, and insect repellent.
- Check yourself and your pets after outdoor activities.
- Remove ticks quickly if found.
For dogs:
- Use tick-prevention medication.
- Inspect fur and skin after walks.
Why It Matters
RMSF remains uncommon in Canada, but new cases in Ontario and Quebec suggest the disease is spreading. Experts urge awareness, early detection, and prevention to protect both people and pets.