Résumé
Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF), a vector-borne disease caused by Rickettsia conorii and transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is endemic in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean basin. Although often mild, its severity has increased in recent years. In the Pyrénées-Orientales (PO), a department bordering Catalonia where the prevalence is higher, MSF is likely underdiagnosed. General practitioners play a crucial role in the management of this re-emerging disease. Objective: this study aims to assess the knowledge of general practitioners in the PO regarding MSF and identify areas requiring further awareness or training. Method: a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 via an online questionnaire. Participants included 54 general practitioners from the PO, assessed on their ability to diagnose and manage a clinical case of MSF, as well as their epidemiological and preventive knowledge. Results: only 16.7% of participants scored above 7/10, indicating sufficient knowledge. The main gaps were related to the vector, the recognition of severity criteria and the prognosis. Most respondents felt little or no confidence in diagnosing (53.7%) and managing (46.3%) MSF. Conclusion: the results reveal a concerning lack of knowledge about MSF among general practitioners in the PO. These findings underscore the importance of a sensitization campaign and ongoing training to improve the management of this vector-borne disease.