Explained: What Is Scrub Typhus, A 'Mysterious' Infection That's Affecting Children In UP
Over two dozen cases of 'scrub typhus' have been reported from Mathura District of Western Uttar Pradesh in the past few days.
It was initially reported that a dengue-like disease was spreading in Mathura, which, according to the official count has killed 14 people, out of which 12 were children.
However, according to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, there have been 100 deaths including children due to fever in Firozabad, Mathura, Agra and many other places in Uttar Pradesh.
In Koha village, where several deaths have been reported, a study of samples collected by the health department found malaria, dengue, scrub typhus and leptospirosis spreading there.
Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).
The most common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches and sometimes rash. In severe cases, it can result in pneumonitis, encephalitis, mental changes ranging from confusion to coma, congestive heart failure and circulatory collapse.
People with severe illness may develop organ failure and bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Additional director of health department, A.K. Singh, said: "At least 29 cases of scrub typhus have been reported in Mathura district. Required medicines have been provided to the patients and none of them is critical. We have issued an alert regarding its spread to other districts.
"Early diagnosis is important. Patients are put on antibiotics and they recover fully after a week-long course of treatment."
Navneet Singh Chahal, Mathura District Collector, told ANI, "Due to the spread of vector-borne disease like dengue or viral fever, we have set up 20 beds in Mathura district hospital and Vrindavan district hospital. Sanitisation and fogging are being carried out by sanitization workers. I request to villagers not to keep stagnating water in pots for a long time and regularly clean the utensils."
According to the CDC, Scrub typhus, also known as?bush typhus, is a disease caused by a bacteria called?Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).?
There is no vaccine against Scrub typhus, and the best way to reduce the risk of getting scrub typhus is by avoiding contact with infected chiggers.
As far as treatment of Scrub typhus, a lab diagnosis is required for confirming the infection, which can take several weeks.
According to CDC, getting an early treatment, based on symptoms is the key. Antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin. Doxycycline has been proven to be effective against Scrub typhus and can be given to patients of all ages.
