75-Year-Old Man In Kerala Diagnosed With Rare Murine Typhus Disease; Health Officials Urge Awareness | Health Live

A 75-year-old man in Kerala has recently been diagnosed with a rare bacterial disease known as murine typhus, raising concerns among health officials. This infection, which affects liver and kidney functions, is caused by the flea-borne bacteria 'Rickettsia typhi'. Transmission occurs when an infected flea bites a human, leading to what is also referred to as endemic typhus or flea-borne spotted fever. Common carriers of this disease include rats, mice, and mongooses. Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days post-exposure and may include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and skin rashes. If untreated, the illness can persist for months and lead to severe complications. While there is currently no vaccine, antibiotics like doxycycline are effective treatments. Preventive measures include regular flea control in households with pets.