SCRUB TYPHUS

Scrub typhus is a major public health threat in South and Southeast Asia.

Key details:

  • As per estimates, nearly one million cases are reported from South and Southeast Asia with 10% mortality.
  • India is one of the hotspots with at least 25% of the disease burden.
  • A trial carried out in India where patients were received a combination therapy of both doxycycline and azithromycin showed faster resolution of complications compared with patients  who were given monotherapy of either doxycycline or azithromycin.

About scrub typhus:

  • Scrub typhus is also known as bush typhus.
  • It is caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi.
  • Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).
  • Most cases of scrub typhus occur in rural areas of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India, and northern Australia.

Treatment

  • Scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotics.
  • No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus.

SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB

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