THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 26, 1995 TAG: 9507260467
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Virginia Briefs
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Short : 26 lines
An increase in Rocky Mountain spotted fever cases has been reported in Martinsville.
The disease is spread through tick bites.
Nine people have been treated, all successfully, this summer at the city's hospital for the disease. Last year, only three cases were reported in all of southwestern Virginia, state health officials said.
``There are usually sporadic cases reported,'' said Dr. Elizabeth Roycroft, head of the Henry-Martinsville Health Department. An increase usually occurs in the summer, when ticks are active, she said.
Hospital officials said four people were treated last week alone.
KEYWORDS: ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER by CNB