Telangana Urges Precautions as Scrub Typhus Cases Rise in Andhra Pradesh

As Andhra Pradesh experiences a significant increase in scrub typhus cases and related fatalities, health officials in neighboring Telangana emphasize that the situation remains manageable within their state. With the approaching holiday season, they urge families to adopt essential precautions to mitigate the risk of infection, particularly during outdoor activities.

Scrub typhus, caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi, is transmitted through the bites of infected larval mites, commonly referred to as chiggers. Symptoms typically include fever, chills, headache, body aches, and muscle pain. In many instances, patients develop a dark, scab-like lesion at the site of the mite bite.

Telangana’s Director of Public Health, Ravinder Naik, confirmed that the state has not yet received specific directives from the Union government regarding scrub typhus. “Nevertheless, public health facilities are on alert, with routine preparations in place for managing fever and respiratory cases,” Naik stated. He highlighted that these arrangements include the availability of medications, necessary supplies, hospital beds, and trained medical personnel.

The Superintendent of the government-operated Niloufer Hospital, G. Vijay Kumar, noted that scrub typhus is part of a larger group of rickettsial infections, which are increasingly recognized as re-emerging diseases across India. He explained that these infections are typically transmitted through arthropods such as ticks, mites, and fleas. “Scrub typhus can manifest like any other severe fever, but it may lead to serious complications affecting the liver or brain. In rare cases, it can also result in death,” Kumar added.

Treatment for scrub typhus is effective with antibiotics, primarily doxycycline and azithromycin. Kumar indicated that children are generally treated with azithromycin, while older children and adults with severe symptoms receive doxycycline for a course of 7 to 10 days.

During the winter break, many families in Hyderabad are likely to travel to farms, resorts, and gardens, increasing the risk of exposure to the mites that carry the disease. Pulmonologist and allergist Vyakarnam Nageshwar emphasized that simple precautions could prevent nearly 90% of scrub typhus cases. “It is advisable to avoid bushy areas and crop fields during outings. Children should wear long sleeves, long trousers, and shoes, and take a thorough shower upon returning home,” he explained. Nageshwar stressed the importance of parents in enforcing these guidelines, noting that children often play carelessly in such environments.

Delays in seeking medical attention also contribute to complications associated with scrub typhus. Nageshwar advises that any rash, itching, or sore at the site of a mite bite, coupled with fever or body pain after outdoor activities, should prompt immediate medical consultation.

As December approaches, the Telangana health department continues to monitor the situation closely, aiming to keep the public informed and safe during this peak travel period.