Another new type of disease is spreading in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. It seems that many children have already been infected with the disease. Doctors have diagnosed it as scrub typhus.
Recently, Mathura District Medical Officer Dr Rachna Gupta said that 26 people have contracted scrub typhus in Koh village alone. Three in Piproth, 14 in Ral and 17 in Jasoda were infected. Ten people have already died in the area, including eight children. Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah and Lalganj districts west of Uttar Pradesh have also reported deaths due to the disease. Authorities are collecting samples from the respective areas.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Scrub typhus is caused by the bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is transmitted through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).
Symptoms of scrub typhus: Fever, headache, body aches, rashes, enlarged lymph nodes and muscle pain for up to 10 days. A dark, scab-like region at the site of the chigger bite.
The CDC said there were currently no vaccines available to prevent the disease. They said to stay away from those who are infected. Also advised to wear clothing that completely covers the body of the child.