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cover of episode Stopping A Deadly Disease On Apache Lands

Stopping A Deadly Disease On Apache Lands

2025/2/12
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Short Wave
AI Chapters Transcript
Chapters
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a deadly tick-borne disease caused by bacteria. It causes a characteristic rash and internal bleeding, leading to death within eight days if left untreated. The disease was first identified in the late 1800s and has since spread across the US.
  • RMSF is caused by bacteria called Rickettsia rickettsii and spread through tick bites.
  • It causes a characteristic rash and internal bleeding.
  • Untreated, it can be fatal within eight days.

Shownotes Transcript

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is one of the deadliest tickborne diseases in the United States, often killing people within about a week if left untreated. At one point, the San Carlos Apache Reservation had rates of infection 150 times the national average. But now, they've achieved a huge milestone — no deaths from the disease in at least five years. NPR science correspondent Pien Huang) and producer Megan Lim) visited the reservation to see the program that led to their success.**Read Pien's full story here).***Interested in hearing more science success stories? Email us at [email protected]). Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)