Murine Typhus

Source: This post on Murine Typhus has been created based on the article “Kerala man infected with rare bacterial disease: What to know about murine typhus” published in Indian Express on 14^th October 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, doctors diagnosed a 75-year-old man from Kerala, who had recently travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia, with the bacterial disease murine typhus.

About Murine Typhus

1. About: Murine typhus is a flea-borne disease. It is also known as Endemic typhus, flea-borne typhus, or flea-borne spotted fever.

2. Cause: It is caused by the bacteria Rickettsia typhi and transmitted by infected fleas.

3. Rodents (e.g., rats, mice, mongoose) are common reservoirs, but the fleas can also live on small mammals like cats and dogs.

4. Transmission:  Fleas infected with Rickettsia typhi transmit the disease through bites. Infection occurs when flea faeces contact cuts, scrapes, or mucous membranes. The disease does not spread from humans to fleas or from person to person.

5. Where is Murine Typhus Found: It is common in tropical and subtropical coastal areas. Reported cases exist in the Northeast, Madhya Pradesh, Kashmir, and now, Kerala.

6. Symptoms of Murine Typhus: Symptoms typically appear 7 to 14 days after exposure. Fever, headaches, body aches, joint pains, nausea, vomiting, and stomach aches. Some individuals may develop skin rashes days after initial symptoms. The illness usually lasts up to two weeks but may extend with complications if untreated.

7. Diagnosis: It can involve Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to detect microbial DNA.

8. Treatment: Doxycycline antibiotic is effective, but early diagnosis is crucial. No vaccine is available currently. Untreated cases may worsen in 1-2 weeks and can be fatal in rare cases.

9. Preventive Measures:

i) For Households with Pets: Keep pets flea-free through regular washing and awareness of flea signs; flea treatments may be necessary.

ii) Rodent Control: Keep rodents away from living spaces, particularly kitchens; ensure food is stored securely to avoid attracting rodents.

UPSC Syllabus: Science and technology