Scrub Typhus: A Hidden Health Threat on the Rise in India
A dangerous bacterial illness transmitted by infected mites has recently caused a series of deaths in Odisha, highlighting the growing threat of scrub typhus in India.
Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, has infected over 130 people in Sundergarh district this year alone. Across India, an estimated one million cases emerge annually with a concerning 10% fatality rate if untreated.
As India’s leading diagnostic services provider, Lab Provider aims to build awareness of this neglected tropical disease and how proper testing is vital for effective treatment.
What is Scrub Typhus?
Scrub typhus is caused by the Orientia tsutsugamushi bacteria which is spread to humans through bites of infected larval tethered mites, known as chiggers. These mites thrive in areas of dense vegetation and transmit the bacteria when they feed on human blood.
After an incubation period of 5–20 days post-bite, symptoms like fever, headaches, rash and muscle pain emerge. A dark lesion may appear at the bite site. Without rapid diagnosis and treatment, severe complications can develop and prove fatal.
Diagnosing the Threat
Clinical suspicion is needed to test for scrub typhus when patients in endemic areas present with fever of unknown origin. Diagnostic tests like ELISA and PCR can detect antibodies and antigens to confirm infection.
Promising New Treatments
A recent breakthrough NEJM study demonstrated that combining antibiotics azithromycin and doxycycline greatly improves treatment outcomes compared to monotherapy. Supportive care is also essential for severe cases.
The Need for Accessible Testing
As rural communities face the highest risk, enhancing accessibility and affordability of diagnostic services is key. Lab Provider facilitates testing across India through our network of certified labs and convenient home sample collection.
Knowledge is power — knowing the risks of scrub typhus and when to seek accurate diagnostics is vital. Lab Provider aims to make these services available to all, to curb the rising threat of this neglected disease in India.
