Synopsis
The Tamil Nadu Health Department has alerted officials as scrub typhus cases rise in the state, emphasizing awareness and preventive measures. Active cases have been reported in Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Coimbatore, with serious complications possible if left untreated. Health experts stress the need for early detection and effective treatment.Key Takeaways
- Scrub typhus cases are on the rise in Tamil Nadu.
- Health authorities emphasize public awareness.
- Severe complications include heart attacks and organ damage.
- Preventive measures include wearing protective clothing.
- Early detection and timely treatment are crucial.
Chennai, Feb 4 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Health Authorities have raised an alert among district health officials due to the increasing number of scrub typhus cases throughout the state.
Officials have underscored the significance of public awareness and preventive strategies to curb the transmission of the disease.
Recent reports indicate several active cases in regions including Chennai, Tirunelveli, and Coimbatore.
Although there have been no fatalities thus far, health officials caution that severe complications such as myocardial infarction (heart attack), respiratory issues, organ damage, and coma may arise in critical cases.
Scrub typhus is a rickettsial infection characterized by an acute febrile illness (fever) and is prevalent in various countries, including India, Japan, and Australia.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that over one billion individuals globally are at risk of this disease.
The incubation phase lasts from 6 to 21 days. The infection is caused by chigger mites, which are the larval form of mites that thrive in densely vegetated areas such as farms, gardens, and forests. Humans are infected through bites from these mites.
If left untreated, scrub typhus can lead to organ failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and potentially death in severe instances. S. Chandrashekhar, Head of the General Medicine Department at Stanley Government Medical College Hospital, emphasized that mite bites often go unnoticed due to their lack of pain.
Symptoms generally manifest 7 to 10 days post-bite and may include: high fever, severe headache, rash, muscle pain, and low platelet count.
If untreated, the infection can progress to scrub myocarditis, hepatitis, coagulopathy (blood clotting disorders), muscle damage, and acute respiratory distress syndrome.
Doctors typically prescribe Doxycycline, Azithromycin, and Rifampicin for those infected, adjusting dosages based on age and severity. If symptoms do not improve within 48-72 hours, or if the patient experiences complications affecting the heart, lungs, kidneys, or central nervous system, they are referred to a tertiary care facility for advanced treatment.
Health specialists recommend wearing protective attire such as long-sleeved shirts, full-length pants, and closed footwear, particularly in areas with thick grass and shrubs.
Additionally, the use of DEET-based repellents on skin and clothing is advised to ward off mites. Caution is particularly urged in farmlands, gardens, and forests, which are known breeding grounds for scrub typhus.
Rajani, a general medicine expert from Vellore, remarked that scrub typhus is more lethal than dengue, leptospirosis, and malaria.
However, fatalities linked to the disease are often associated with secondary conditions such as organ failure or myocardial infarction, similar to how dengue-related deaths are frequently attributed to sepsis. Rajani pointed out a significant diagnostic challenge as there is currently no government-approved testing method for scrub typhus in Tamil Nadu.
Instead, physicians depend on clinical symptoms for diagnosis, which can lead to many cases being misclassified as ordinary fever.
While Tamil Nadu has not reported any deaths so far, the high mortality rate in undiagnosed cases remains a significant concern.
Experts emphasize that early detection and timely treatment are vital to avert severe complications.
