Racing driver and his fiancee die after being bitten by a tick

Douglas Costa
Rocky Mountain spotted fever: Racer and his fiancee die after being bitten by a tick

After being bitten by a tick, Douglas Costa and his fiancée never recovered: first the racing driver died, followed shortly afterwards by his partner.

A tick bite killed Brazilian racing driver Douglas Costa and his fiancée Mariana Giordano. Brazilian media reports that the couple was staying in the countryside of Campinas, a region around 90 kilometers from the capital Sao Paulo. Both were apparently bitten by a tick and died from the aftermath.

The couple complained of a headache, fever, nausea and rash a few days later. According to media reports, both were then taken to a hospital, where Costa died the next day. His 36-year-old fiancée did not survive the bite either, she died just a few hours after her partner. According to current knowledge, both succumbed to Rocky Mountain spotted fever, also known as Brazilian spotted fever.

Tick ​​bite is fatal

The infectious disease is widespread in South, Central and North America. Most diseases occur in Brazil. The infection occurs via the bite of an infected tick, the first symptoms usually appear after two to 14 days, in particularly severe cases cardiac arrest can occur. There is no vaccination, treatment is with antibiotics.

Douglas Costa drove in the AMG Cup Brasil racing series. Marcio Giordano, brother of Costa’s deceased fiancé, is also active there. At the first race after the couple’s death, all cars bore the names of Costa and Giordano. “A great love story worthy of a movie,” Marcio Giordano wrote on Instagram alongside a picture of his sister and fellow racer. Those responsible for the AMG Cup also paid tribute to the driver: “We know what an admirable person Douglas was and how he will leave a great void in the hearts of everyone who had the honor and pleasure of knowing him.”

Sources: “Folha de Sao Paulo” / AMG Cup Brasil on Instagram / Marcio Giordano on Instagram / MSD Manual