Pest control and rickettsiosis prevention in Ciudad Juárez

In Ciudad Juárez, municipal authorities have initiated pest control and sanitization programs to address insect populations, specifically targeting areas with water accumulation. The Municipal Ecology Directorate reported conducting over 17,000 fumigations against ticks and announced plans to double tick fumigation services in schools.

Efforts have since intensified in response to a rise in rickettsiosis, with health officials reporting 65 cases and 30 deaths associated with tick bites in 2026. Prevention strategies include neighborhood anti-tick campaigns, the distribution of free topical treatments for pets and stray dogs, and binational training for health personnel conducted alongside the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Deputy Jael Argüelles Díaz has expanded these initiatives in neighborhoods like Vista Los Ojitos, providing free topical treatments and identification tags to promote responsible pet ownership. Rogelio Covarrubias, director of Health District II Juárez, noted that medical assistance is often sought too late due to vague symptoms, necessitating a multi-faceted approach to manage risk factors and stray dog populations.

Concerns regarding medical access have emerged following the death of a man on August 31. Neighbors reported that after a tick bite, the individual sought care at the Hospital General but was allegedly denied hospitalization because he was not officially registered and lacked insurance. If his death is officially confirmed as rickettsiosis, he would be the 31st victim in 2026. In response, ecology officials have coordinated with health authorities to perform fumigation in the Riberas del Bravo neighborhood.