Scrub Typhus, an infectious disease caused by parasite Tsutsugamushi is on the rise in this winter season rains. After swine flu, this is yet another disease causing trouble mostly in Udaipur and Rajsamand. Until now more than 200 patients have been diagnosed with scrub typhus.

Scrub typhus is transmitted by some species of trombiculid mites which are found in areas of heavy scrub vegetation. History of mite bite is often absent since the bite does not inflict pain and the mites are almost too small to be seen by the naked eye. Without treatment, the disease is often fatal. Since the use of antibiotics, case fatalities have decreased from 4–40% to less than 2 %.( source Wikipedia)

Symptoms of this disease are associated with high fever, headaches, body aches, low blood pressure, stiffness in muscles and rashes on the body. Patients suffering from any of these symptoms must consult physician immediately. None of these symptoms are to be ignored. The drug most commonly used is doxycycline or tetracycline, but chloramphenicol is an alternative.

MB Hospital, district hospitals and even private hospitals are treating patients for this infection. According to recent reports 115 patients have been diagnosed with this scrub typhus infection in Udaipur district, 96 in Rajsamand, 26 in Chittorgarh and 4 in Pratapgarh. Luckily no cases have come to light in Dungarpur and Banswara.