Spotted Fever Rickettsiosis: Wisconsin Data

Spotted fever rickettsiosis (SFR) is rare in Wisconsin.

Commonly available tests to diagnose SFR can’t distinguish between the different spotted fever group bacteria. Therefore, cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, along with other diseases caused by this group of bacteria, are all reported as SFR.

Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the most serious SFR. It’s unknown how many reported cases in Wisconsin are Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and how many cases are caused by other, less severe, SFR.

SFR cases are reported by county of residence, not by county of exposure. On average, half of the cases in Wisconsin were among people who reported travel to another state or country where SFR is much more common. This travel occurred before they became sick. This means that many of the SFR cases in Wisconsin were most likely exposed to the bacteria outside Wisconsin.

SFR is preventable and treatable. Learn more about Tick Bite Prevention.

Read about signs, symptoms, and treatment from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

The graphs on this page show statewide data for spotted fever rickettsiosis.

For national data, visit the CDC webpage on Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever Epidemiology and Statistics.