A DIPR Feature by Temjenkaba, News Assistant
Scrub Typhus is transmitted by the bite of Mite infected with the causative agent called orientia/ tsutsugamushi. Adult mites do not feed on humans and therefore do not transmit the disease It is the larval form called chigger which is infective There is no human transmission. A person has to be bitten by an infected larval mite in order to catch the disease. Therefore with proper personal hygiene, there should be no stigma in caring for Scrub Typhus patients. A person can be bitten when he goes to jungles/areas infested with mite larva. Or the mites can be carried through rats which can feed all humans at home.
Scrub Typhus was first detected in 2006 at Longsa village in Mokokchung district, then in 2007 at Porba in Phek district. Then in September 2011, 3 cases were tested positive at Poilwa village. Since then, it has been detected in other places in Phek, Kohima, Peren and Mon districts. The number of cases detected this year is more than the previous years. However, it may well be that the disease has been present in the State for several years but due to lack of testing facility and poorer surveillance activities, it might have been taken to be some other disease In the region. The disease has been reported as early as World War II.
About 1-2 weeks after being bitten by an infected Mite, the person develops fever with chills, headache, weakness, ete. The starting of fever is sudden. Around five days from the start of fever, rash may appear on the body. But in indigenous people where Scrub Typhus is endemic, rash may not be seen. Swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit, groin or neck region may be present. One typical feature which is helpful in diagnosing Scrub Typhus is the bite mark. A punched out ulcer covered with a black scab (called eschar) is characteristic of a mite bite. It is commonly found in the armpit or groin region. There are rapid test kits available for diagnosing of Scrub Typhus.
It may be mentioned that there are very good medicines for Scrub Typhus which are the cheapest antibiotics available. So when diagnosed and treated early, Scrub Typhus is not be a dreaded disease. However, self medication is not advisable as incomplete course, inappropriate dosage or wrong choice of drug for age can do harm even for the future. For example with the limited range of antibiotics which are used for the disease. If such medicines are inappropriately used leading to resistance. There will be no defense left in the future against the disease.
The disease per se may not kill. But it is the complications which kill if left untreated. Serious complications can affect the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, liver, etc which can be fatal. The complications like kidney failure with blood clotting disorder can be quite dramatic and it has been observed that they have been alleged be cases of poisoning by villagers.
Scrub Typhus cases increase during the rainy season which is the time when villagers go to the fields for work. Mites can be found concentrated in certain jungles and such places are called 'Scrub jungles'. If there is clustering of cases among people who had visited certain jungle, such a place may be marked as a Scrub Typhus and personal protective measures can be taken up accordingly. Clearing of limited amount of vegetation especially around the houses and village vicinity will help in prevention against the disease. Reducing of rodent population will help in preventing the transmission of the disease. In some Naga communities, huge granaries are kept inside the houses which attract rats. Such practices may be discouraged. While going to the field, people may be advised to wear long sleeve clothes and also apply insect repellent creams on the exposed body parts and maintain personal hygiene to protect oneself from the disease. During peak season in endemic area, one can go for chemoprophylaxis where a once weekly medicine is advised by the doctor as a preventive measure.
(Source: Directorate of Health & Family Welfare)
Scrub Typhus is transmitted by the bite of Mite infected with the causative agent called orientia/ tsutsugamushi. Adult mites do not feed on humans and therefore do not transmit the disease It is the larval form called chigger which is infective There is no human transmission. A person has to be bitten by an infected larval mite in order to catch the disease. Therefore with proper personal hygiene, there should be no stigma in caring for Scrub Typhus patients. A person can be bitten when he goes to jungles/areas infested with mite larva. Or the mites can be carried through rats which can feed all humans at home.
Scrub Typhus was first detected in 2006 at Longsa village in Mokokchung district, then in 2007 at Porba in Phek district. Then in September 2011, 3 cases were tested positive at Poilwa village. Since then, it has been detected in other places in Phek, Kohima, Peren and Mon districts. The number of cases detected this year is more than the previous years. However, it may well be that the disease has been present in the State for several years but due to lack of testing facility and poorer surveillance activities, it might have been taken to be some other disease In the region. The disease has been reported as early as World War II.
About 1-2 weeks after being bitten by an infected Mite, the person develops fever with chills, headache, weakness, ete. The starting of fever is sudden. Around five days from the start of fever, rash may appear on the body. But in indigenous people where Scrub Typhus is endemic, rash may not be seen. Swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit, groin or neck region may be present. One typical feature which is helpful in diagnosing Scrub Typhus is the bite mark. A punched out ulcer covered with a black scab (called eschar) is characteristic of a mite bite. It is commonly found in the armpit or groin region. There are rapid test kits available for diagnosing of Scrub Typhus.
It may be mentioned that there are very good medicines for Scrub Typhus which are the cheapest antibiotics available. So when diagnosed and treated early, Scrub Typhus is not be a dreaded disease. However, self medication is not advisable as incomplete course, inappropriate dosage or wrong choice of drug for age can do harm even for the future. For example with the limited range of antibiotics which are used for the disease. If such medicines are inappropriately used leading to resistance. There will be no defense left in the future against the disease.
The disease per se may not kill. But it is the complications which kill if left untreated. Serious complications can affect the lungs, heart, kidneys, brain, liver, etc which can be fatal. The complications like kidney failure with blood clotting disorder can be quite dramatic and it has been observed that they have been alleged be cases of poisoning by villagers.
Scrub Typhus cases increase during the rainy season which is the time when villagers go to the fields for work. Mites can be found concentrated in certain jungles and such places are called 'Scrub jungles'. If there is clustering of cases among people who had visited certain jungle, such a place may be marked as a Scrub Typhus and personal protective measures can be taken up accordingly. Clearing of limited amount of vegetation especially around the houses and village vicinity will help in prevention against the disease. Reducing of rodent population will help in preventing the transmission of the disease. In some Naga communities, huge granaries are kept inside the houses which attract rats. Such practices may be discouraged. While going to the field, people may be advised to wear long sleeve clothes and also apply insect repellent creams on the exposed body parts and maintain personal hygiene to protect oneself from the disease. During peak season in endemic area, one can go for chemoprophylaxis where a once weekly medicine is advised by the doctor as a preventive measure.
(Source: Directorate of Health & Family Welfare)
