rickettsial pox

rickettsial pox

A disease caused by Rickettsia akari and spread by mites from domestic mice. It occurs almost exclusively in New York and Philadelphia. There is a small blister (papule) at the site of the bite which then breaks down to form a scab (eschar) and is followed by fever, muscle aches and then a papular rash that crusts but heals without causing scars.