Scrub Typhus Outbreak Claims Five Lives In Odisha's Bargarh District

In recent weeks, a series of unfortunate events has unfolded in Odisha's Bargarh district, with at least five lives lost to the insidious grasp of scrub typhus, a potentially deadly infectious disease. Four more individuals in the district have tested positive, indicating a concerning outbreak.

Sadhu Charan Das, the district's public health officer, reported that the victims hailed from various blocks within Bargarh district, including Sohela, Attabira, Bheden, and Barpali. Two of the deceased were diagnosed at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, while the others sought treatment at Vikash Hospital in Bargarh and a private clinic in Balangir, Indian Express reported.

It's worth noting that Bargarh district had experienced a scrub typhus outbreak in 2014, although fortunately, there were no casualties then.

So, what exactly is scrub typhus?

Also known as bush typhus, jungle typhus, or mite typhus, it is an acute infectious disease caused by the parasite Orientia tsutsugamushi. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of certain trombiculid mites, commonly known as chiggers. These mites acquire the infection during their larval stage from wild rodents or other small animals and then pass it on to humans when they bite.

Scrub typhus is predominantly found in Southeast Asia, its associated archipelagoes, northern Australia, and Japan, where it was first described in 1899 and extensively studied from 1906 to 1932. During World War II, scrub typhus posed a significant threat to troops stationed in rural or jungle areas in the Pacific theatre, causing fatalities and incapacitation.

Typically, an individual falls ill with scrub typhus about 10 to 12 days after being bitten by an infected mite. Symptoms include a reddish or pinkish lesion at the site of the bite, accompanied by headache, fever, chills, general pains, and swollen lymph glands. A week into the fever, a pinkish rash may appear on the trunk and potentially spread to the limbs. The fever's duration can range from two to four weeks, often involving pneumonitis and complications affecting the heart, lungs, and blood, which can lead to circulatory failure if left untreated.

However, timely medical intervention can make a significant difference. The administration of antibiotics like chloramphenicol or tetracyclines can halt the progression of the disease, leading to a prompt and uneventful recovery. In some cases, macrolides or rifampicin may also be used to combat scrub typhus.