Rocky Mountain spotted fever in Texas, 1978 through 1987

From 1978 through 1987, there were 397 laboratory-confirmed cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever reported in Texas. The annual number of cases ranged from 21 cases in 1986 to 108 cases in 1983. A total of 262 cases were in males. Most of the patients (52%) were 19 years of age or younger. April through August were the months of onset of symptoms for 66% of the cases. Eighty-two percent of the infected patients were hospitalized; 14 patients died. An endemic focus of Rocky Mountain spotted fever exists in north central and northeastern Texas.