Rural communities face a high risk of potentially life-threatening scrub typhus infections, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore, released on 13 March.
Key Findings from CMC Vellore Study
- Conducted on 32,000 people in rural Tamil Nadu.
- Identified scrub typhus as a leading cause of fever-related hospitalizations.
- Published in the New England Journal of Medicine in collaboration with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).
- 10% of the population infected annually, highlighting high prevalence and under-recognition.
What is Scrub Typhus?
- Caused by: Orientia tsutsugamushi, a bacterium in the rickettsia family.
- Spread by: Infected larval mites (chiggers).
- Symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, rash, and a blackened sore at the bite site.
- Severe Complications if Untreated:
- Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
- Shock
- Meningitis
- Kidney Failure
➡ Can be fatal without timely treatment!
- Treatment & Prevention
- Antibiotics: Doxycycline & Azithromycin are effective.
- No vaccine available yet!
- Preventive measures include: Avoiding mite-infested areas, wearing protective clothing, and using insect repellents.
(Source: DD India)
