Scrub Typhus kills 5 in Odisha, 9 in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla: All you need to know about this deadly infection

Scrub Typhus, a potentially deadly infectious disease, has claimed 14 lives in India - five in Odisha and nine in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla. Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC) in Shimla is overwhelmed over the past few days as patients showing symptoms of the deadly infection are queuing up. As per officials, a total of 295 cases of Scrub Typhrus have been confirmed in the Himachal Pradesh’s district. Situation in Odisha too looked grim. According to Bargarh Chief District Medical and Public Health Officer, Sadhu Charan Das, out of the total five deaths due to the infection - two cases were reported from Sohela block, while one case each was reported from Attabira, Bheden, and Barpali blocks of Bargarh district. Four other people have been tested positive for Scrub Typhus and are currently being treated, Das said. Let’s know what Scrub Typhus is, the infectious disease that has been causing unexpected deaths in some parts of India. What is Scrub Typhus? Scrub Typhus is an infectious disease that is caused by a bacteria known as Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is a vector-borne disease and is usually reported in the rainy season. How does Scrub Typhus spread? Scrub Typhus spreads through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites) which is mostly seen in grass, bushes, and on the bodies of animals such as rats, rabbits, mice, and squirrels. The mites usually come in contact with humans in farmland, forests and village ponds. Scrub Typhus symptoms The symptoms of Scrub Typhus include: - high fever - chills - severe headache - dry cough - body aches - red eyes - muscle pain - a dark scab-like wound, or a black, inflamed mark on skin where the chigger bite - enlarged lymph node - red spots or rashes on body - confusion - gastrointestinal symptoms - liver and spleen enlargement - meningitis Health experts say people witnessing fever for days should undergo an ELISA test for scrub typhus. Symptoms start showing around 10 days after getting infected. Also, if the infection is left untreated, it could lead to multiple organ failure, a life-threatening complication. Who are prone to get infected by Scrub Typhus? People engaged in gardening and outdoor activities are highly prone to get infected by Scrub Typhus. How to prevent from getting infected of Scrub Typhus? To prevent getting infected, people should focus on rodent control, cleanliness, and maintaining hygiene; being cautious while handling pets, applying mite repellents to exposed skin, and regular cleaning of surroundings including removal of shrubs and low vegetation. With inputs from agencies