What is scrub typhus, a bacterial infection rising in India? Know symptoms, preventions

The monsoon season brings relief from oppressive heat but also brings a range of illnesses, including bacterial infections and waterborne diseases. Recently, a new bacterial infection called scrub typhus has emerged in Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh, with over 700 reported cases and at least 5 deaths.

Five people in Shimla's Solan district have died due to scrub typhus, with four of the fatalities being women, according to experts at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC).

Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection caused by the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacterium, sometimes known as bush typhus. It is transmitted through bites from infected chiggers, which are larval mites. Common symptoms include fever, headache, muscle aches, and occasionally a rash.

Symptoms:

• Fever with chills
• Headache
• Muscle aches and pains
• A black, scab-like area where a chigger has bitten (known as an eschar)
• Mental changes ranging from confusion to coma
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Rash
• Severe cases of scrub typhus can lead to bleeding and organ failure, which can be fatal if not treated promptly.

Prevention: 

There is currently no vaccine to prevent scrub typhus, but you can reduce your risk by avoiding contact with infected chiggers. When visiting areas where scrub typhus is prevalent, it's advisable to stay away from densely forested and brushy areas where chiggers may be present.