With the arrival of the monsoon rains, Udaipur is now facing a new health challenge of scrub typhus. This follows the surge in dengue cases, which have surpassed 250 in the district. The number of scrub typhus cases has also risen, exceeding 211. In August alone, over 160 cases of scrub typhus were reported.

The disease is affecting rural areas such as Girwa, Gogunda, Mavli, and Vallabhnagar blocks, while dengue predominantly impacts urban populations. Fortunately, no critically severe cases of either disease have been reported so far.

Causes of Scrub Typhus

Scrub typhus is caused by bites from infected mites, which are tiny insects found on grass, bushes, and animals like rats and rabbits. These mites spread the disease by biting humans, leading to symptoms similar to dengue, such as severe headache, fever with chills, pneumonia, and dark marks at the bite site. Without prompt treatment, scrub typhus can be fatal.

Prevention 

To prevent scrub typhus, people are advised to stay away from rats, squirrels, and rabbits. It is also important not to walk barefoot on grass and to wear clothes that cover the body fully. Keeping bushes and dense grass around the home clean is also recommended.To prevent scrub typhus, people are advised to stay away from rats, squirrels, and rabbits. It is also important not to walk barefoot on grass and to wear clothes that cover the body fully. Keeping bushes and dense grass around the home clean is also recommended.

Dr. Ankit Jain, Deputy CMHO, noted that scrub typhus, like dengue, causes a drop in platelet counts. The disease is caused by the “Sergentomyia” bacteria and symptoms usually appear about 10 days after a mite bite. Dr. Shankarlal Bamaniya, CMHO of Udaipur, stated that health teams are now conducting door-to-door surveys to identify and manage cases of scrub typhus, similar to the efforts for dengue. 

Source: Dainik Bhaskar