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News: A Gulf-based Keralite was recently diagnosed with scrub typhus.
About Scrub Typhus
- Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi.
- Transmitted by: It is transmitted by the mite Leptotrombidium deliense.
- It spreads through the bite of infected chiggers, which are the larval stage of mites.
- Chiggers (Mite Larvae) become infected after feeding on the skin of infected rats or mice.
- They are tiny, almost invisible, and are usually red, yellow, or orange in colour.
- Geographical Distribution: The disease is commonly found in rural Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia.
- Who are at risk:
- People of all ages and genders can get scrub typhus.
- About 1 million cases occur worldwide each year.
- The risk is higher in rural, forested, and overgrown areas with bushes, weeds, leaf litter, and damp conditions.
- Chiggers are more active in late spring and summer.
- Symptoms: The bite is usually painless, but causes itching and redness later. Symptoms appear 6–10 days after infection and may include Fever and chills, Rash and headache, etc
- Treatment: Antibiotics are the main treatment and should begin early.
- Prevention: There is no vaccine for scrub typhus.
