New Delhi: Over 25 people in the western part of Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura district have been infected with a mystery fever, which has been identified as scrub typhus.


This came to the fore as the medical teams following complaints of infection in the area collected samples from the people at Koh village in Mathura district.


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Those infected are said to be aged between two to 45 years.


What is scrub typhus?


According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).


Symptoms:


Anyone living in or traveling to areas where scrub typhus is found could get infected. The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever and chills, headache, rash, body aches and muscle pain. The symptoms of scrub typhus usually begin within 10 days of being bitten.


Nations where scrub typhus has been reported:


Most cases of scrub typhus occur in rural areas of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, China, Japan, India and northern Australia. Anyone living in or travelling to areas where scrub typhus is found could get infected.


Treatment:



  • Scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used in persons of any age.

  • Antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin.

  • People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly.


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Prevention:



  • No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus.

  • Reduce your risk of getting scrub typhus by avoiding contact with infected chiggers.

  • When travelling to areas where scrub typhus is common, avoid areas with lots of vegetation and brush where chiggers may be found.