At least two persons have died and 101 others are getting ill due to scrub typhus at Cheural village in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, an official of state health department said on Sunday.
The official said that the spread of the disease is at “alarming” rate at the village.
He said a medical team led by south Lungpher medical officer Dr Lalchamliana conducted free medical camp at Cheural village last week during which 101 out 280 people were diagnosed with scrub typhus.
He said that two people have died due to the infection last month.
As the spread of the disease is on increasing mode, the state government has sent medical experts to the village, he added.
More than 40 people have died and over 2,000 infected with scrub typhus since the first case was reported in Mizoram in 2012.
Scrub typhus cases were reported in January and July this year.
With the death of two persons at Cheural village last month, more than 7 people have died due to the disease during this year.
More than 161 cases of scrub typhus infection were also reported from Haulawng village in southern Mizoram’s Lunglei district, 108 from Pangzawl village in Hnahthial district, 28 from Thenzawl village in Serchhip district and 89 others from Phullen village and surrounding villages like Luangpawn, Thanglailung and Zawngin in Saitual district in January and July this year.
Scrub typhus is a mite-borne disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi (formerly Rickettsia tsutsugamushi).
The adult mites do not bite, and the larvae – which are too small to be seen by the naked eye – do so in a painless manner.
Symptoms are fever, a primary lesion, a macular rash, and lymphadenopathy.
There is no vaccine for preventing scrub typhus. But it can still be prevented by maintaining cleanliness and being aware of surroundings.
Contact with the mite larvae can be prevented by not walking barefoot, and sitting or lying directly on the ground.
Doctors advise change of clothes after a day’s work and a thorough wash.
Insect repellent creams may also be protective and homes and surroundings should be kept rodent-free.
