City of Juárez raises awareness over rickettsiosis cases on the border
Heriberto Perez Lara
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Chihuahua (KVIA) — The City of Juárez, through some of its departments, announced a new campaign to stop the spread of rickettsiosis in the region. More than 20 deaths related to the insect-borne disease have been reported this year so far, according to the Juárez Ecology Department.
The disease, transmitted by ticks, exhibits a high mortality rate (44%) due to delayed diagnoses, with cases concentrated primarily among young adults aged 25-44.
Rickettsiosis in Ciudad Juárez reached critical levels in 2026, according to health and ecology officials. At least 20 deaths and 32 suspected cases have been reported as of today.
The Chihuahua Secretariat of Health (Secretaría de Salud de Chihuahua) reports that, from January 1 through May 23, 2026, a total of 63 confirmed cases of rickettsiosis and 32 deaths have been recorded within the state.
The municipalities where these cases occurred are: Ciudad Juárez with 36, Chihuahua with 16, Aquiles Serdán with 5, Aldama and Meoqui with 2 cases each, and Rosales and Delicias with one case each. Of these, 20 deaths were reported in Ciudad Juárez, 8 in the municipality of Chihuahua, 2 in the municipality of Aldama, 1 in the municipality of Meoqui, and 1 in the municipality of Rosales, bringing the total number of deaths to 29.
During the same period in 2025, records showed 27 confirmed cases and 11 deaths.
ABC-7 spoke with health and ecology departments in El Paso and in Ciudad Juárez to learn more about what’s being done to prevent more cases on the border.
Watch the full story tonight on ABC-7 at 5 and 6.