A new deadly infection called Scrub Typhus has raised alarm&nbsp;in parts of India. It has caused unexpected deaths in the Indian states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh. Odisha, till now, has reported five deaths while Himachal’s Shimla has reported a total of nine deaths.

According to Odisha’s Bargarh Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Sadhu Charan Das, out of the five persons who died due to the deadly infection, two cases were from Sohela block, while the rest were from Attabira, Bheden, and Barpali blocks of Bargarh district.

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He further informed that four other people were also found to be positive for Scrub Typhus,&nbsp;however, they have been treated.

Meanwhile, in Shimla, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) hospital has been witnessing a considerable increase in patients with symptoms of the deadly infection. As per the officials, a total of 295 cases of the infection have been confirmed in the district.

<h2>What is Scrub Typhus? All you need to know about deadly infection &nbsp;</h2>

Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a bacterial disease caused by Orienta tsuysugamushi. It is spread to people through the bite of infected chiggers (larval mites). Chiggers are tiny mites that feed on the skin of animals and humans. They are found in warm, humid areas with dense vegetation, such as forests, bushlands, and grasslands.

The causative agent of scrub typhus, the bacterium O. tsutsugamushi, is primarily a parasite of certain mites, of which two closely related species, Leptotrombidium (Trombicula) akamushi and L. deliense, are the carriers of the disease. During their larval stage, these mites acquire the infection from wild rodents or other small animals. The infection is passed to humans when a mite larva bites a person.

<h2>Symptoms of Scrub Typhus</h2>

A person falls ill with scrub typhus about 10 to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mite. A reddish or pinkish lesion appears at the site of the mite bite, and the person begins to experience headache, fever, chills, and general pains, along with swollen lymph glands. About one week after the start of the fever, a pinkish rash develops over the skin of the trunk and may extend to the arms and legs. While the course of the fever may end in two weeks, it is not unusual for it to last three or even four weeks.&nbsp;

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A more or less extensive pneumonitis is common, and abnormalities in the heart, lungs, and blood may also arise, leading to impairment of heart function and circulatory failure.

The symptoms of infection include-

High fever with chills

Severe headache

Dry cough

Body aches and muscle pain

Dark scab-like wounds at the site of chigger bite

Enlarged lymph node

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Red spots or rashes on the body

Red eyes

Gastrointestinal problems

Liver and spleen enlargement&nbsp;

People engaged in gardening and outdoor activities are at high risk of getting infected with Scrub Typhus.

<h2>Prevention</h2>

There is no vaccine available to prevent scrub typhus. The only way to reduce the chances&nbsp;of getting scrub typhus is to avoid contact with infected chiggers.&nbsp;

One can prevent getting infected by focusing on rodent control, cleanliness, and maintaining hygiene; being cautious while handling pets, applying mite repellents to exposed skin, and regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation.

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If you have a baby or a child-

Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, and cover the&nbsp;crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting.

Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth or on cuts or irritated skin.

It is recommended that adults spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply it to the child’s face.

<h2>Diagnosis</h2>

To detect the infection, the patients go through an ELISA test to Scrub Typhus if one’s fever continues for several days. The test is easily available at the public health laboratory of all district headquarter&nbsp;hospitals in the state. It diagnoses early, the disease can be treated effectively.&nbsp;

<h2>Treatment</h2>

As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used on persons of any age.&nbsp;

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For Scrub Typhus, antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin. People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly.&nbsp;

<h2>History of Scrub Typhus</h2>

Scrub typhus occurred in Southeast Asia and its associated archipelagos, in northern Australia, and in Japan, where the disease was first described in 1899. It was systematically investigated from 1906-32. During World War II, scrub typhus killed or incapacitated thousands of troops who were stationed in rural or jungle areas in the Pacific theatre.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A new deadly infection called Scrub Typhus has raised alarm in parts of India. It has caused unexpected deaths in the Indian states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh.

A new deadly infection called Scrub Typhus has raised alarm in parts of India. It has caused unexpected deaths in the Indian states of Odisha and Himachal Pradesh. Odisha, till now, has reported five deaths while Himachal’s Shimla has reported a total of nine deaths. According to Odisha’s Bargarh Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Sadhu Charan Das, out of the five persons who died due to the deadly infection, two cases were from Sohela block, while the rest were from Attabira, Bheden, and Barpali blocks of Bargarh district. Also Read | 75 years of Indian Parliament, clearing pending bills: Govt lists agenda for special session He further informed that four other people were also found to be positive for Scrub Typhus, however, they have been treated. Meanwhile, in Shimla, the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) hospital has been witnessing a considerable increase in patients with symptoms of the deadly infection. As per the officials, a total of 295 cases of the infection have been confirmed in the district. What is Scrub Typhus? All you need to know about deadly infection Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a bacterial disease caused by Orienta tsuysugamushi. It is spread to people through the bite of infected chiggers (larval mites). Chiggers are tiny mites that feed on the skin of animals and humans. They are found in warm, humid areas with dense vegetation, such as forests, bushlands, and grasslands. The causative agent of scrub typhus, the bacterium O. tsutsugamushi, is primarily a parasite of certain mites, of which two closely related species, Leptotrombidium (Trombicula) akamushi and L. deliense, are the carriers of the disease. During their larval stage, these mites acquire the infection from wild rodents or other small animals. The infection is passed to humans when a mite larva bites a person. Symptoms of Scrub Typhus A person falls ill with scrub typhus about 10 to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mite. A reddish or pinkish lesion appears at the site of the mite bite, and the person begins to experience headache, fever, chills, and general pains, along with swollen lymph glands. About one week after the start of the fever, a pinkish rash develops over the skin of the trunk and may extend to the arms and legs. While the course of the fever may end in two weeks, it is not unusual for it to last three or even four weeks. Also Read | India demands strong action as US cop jokes about death of Indian student A more or less extensive pneumonitis is common, and abnormalities in the heart, lungs, and blood may also arise, leading to impairment of heart function and circulatory failure. The symptoms of infection include- High fever with chills Severe headache Dry cough Body aches and muscle pain Dark scab-like wounds at the site of chigger bite Enlarged lymph node Also Read | DGCA permits IndiGo to wet lease A320 planes to tackle persistent Pratt & Whitney engine woes Red spots or rashes on the body Red eyes Gastrointestinal problems Liver and spleen enlargement People engaged in gardening and outdoor activities are at high risk of getting infected with Scrub Typhus. Prevention There is no vaccine available to prevent scrub typhus. The only way to reduce the chances of getting scrub typhus is to avoid contact with infected chiggers. One can prevent getting infected by focusing on rodent control, cleanliness, and maintaining hygiene; being cautious while handling pets, applying mite repellents to exposed skin, and regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation. Also Read | India and Russia to explore new maritime routes for trade expansion If you have a baby or a child- Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs, and cover the crib, stroller, and baby carrier with mosquito netting. Do not apply insect repellent onto a child’s hands, eyes, or mouth or on cuts or irritated skin. It is recommended that adults spray insect repellent onto their hands and then apply it to the child’s face. Diagnosis To detect the infection, the patients go through an ELISA test to Scrub Typhus if one’s fever continues for several days. The test is easily available at the public health laboratory of all district headquarter hospitals in the state. It diagnoses early, the disease can be treated effectively. Treatment As per the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Centre for Disease Control (CDC), scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used on persons of any age. Also Read | I.N.D.I.A. alliance to start process for determining seat-sharing, says KC Venugopal For Scrub Typhus, antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin. People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly. History of Scrub Typhus Scrub typhus occurred in Southeast Asia and its associated archipelagos, in northern Australia, and in Japan, where the disease was first described in 1899. It was systematically investigated from 1906-32. During World War II, scrub typhus killed or incapacitated thousands of troops who were stationed in rural or jungle areas in the Pacific theatre. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | What is Scrub Typhus? Deadly mite-borne infection claims 14 lives in India

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