Scrub Typhus

Why in news?

• Odisha has been impacted from two disease outbreaks –Scrub Typhus and Leptospirosis–which have killed six people in the state so far.

About Scrub Typhus:

• Scrub Typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi.
• Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).
• The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash.

Cases of Scrub typhus:

• It is a major public health threat in South and Southeast Asia.
• As per estimates, nearly one million cases are reported from South and Southeast Asia with 10% mortality.
• India is one of the hotspots with at least 25% of the disease burden.

Treatment:

• Scrub typhus can be treated with antibiotics.
• No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus.

What is Leptospirosis?

• Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal zoonotic bacterial disease.
• The disease is caused by a bacterium called Leptospira interrogans, or Leptospira.
• Vulnerable areas: The disease is more prevalent in warm, humid countries and in both urban and rural areas. It affects an estimated 1.03 million people every year, killing around 60,000.
• The carriers of the disease can be either wild or domestic animals, including rodents, cattle, pigs, and dogs.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements regarding the disease ‘Scrub Typhus’:

1. It is caused by virus

2. It is a non-communicable disease

3. It can be treated with antibiotics

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 and 3 only

Answer