Western Uttar Pradesh has been under the grip of a mysterious viral fever that has affected adults and kids for 2-3 weeks. The viral fever has also caused several deaths in the state for days. Now, the city of Mathura in UP has confirmed the mysterious fever as 'scrub typhus'.
After deaths were reported in Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Mainpuri, Etah and Kasganj districts, medical teams collected samples from the residents of Koh village in Mathura district for further testing. The infection was detected as 'scrub typhus'.
Uttar Pradesh is not alone, Assam has also detected the virus due to which a COVID-19 hospital at Sarusajai in Guwahati was been ordered to close down temporarily by the Assam Health Department for 15 days after recording a total number of 29 cases. The victims include Rajpratim Das, Superintendent of the hospital, few nurses, health workers and some other patients.
What is exactly scrub typhus?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is a disease caused by the bacteria 'Orientia tsutsugamushi'. People get infected by it after getting bit by infected larval mites. Another name for bacterial fever is 'Bush typhus'.
What are the symptoms of scrub typhus?
Symptoms of this disease according to the CDC is just like any other viral fever which includes:
-Fever
-Chills
-Headache
-Body aches
-Rashes
-Muscle soreness, etc.
When chiggers or berry bugs that belong to the family of larvae bites a person, it produces a black, scab-like patch called 'eschar'. Post contracting the virus a person might experience mental disorientation to going into a come.
Many patients may also experience joint pains, respiratory distress, brain and lung inflammation, renal failure or multi-organ failure which may lead to death.
Vaccination for scrub typhus:
As of now, there is no vaccination available for scrub typhus.
Where can be scrub typhus be found?
Other than India, scrub typhus can be found in the rural areas of Indonesia, China, Japan, and northern Australia.
What is the treatment for scrub typhus?
As per the study of CDC, the infected person needs to be treated with the medication doxycycline.
How to prevent scrub typhus?
Adults and kids should be covered at all times from head to toe and avoid getting bit by mosquitoes and chiggers.
