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As Ching Ming Festival approaches, scrub typhus infection increases as people are cleaning their ancestors’ graves or having outing in the mountain. Thus, the Yunlin County Health Bureau urged the public to take extra precaution while in their activities in order to reduce scrub typhus infection.
According to the data provided by Center for Disease Control (CDC), there are so far 42 confirmed scrub typhus cases. Scrub typhus is transmitted by chigger mite, whose animal hosts is usually rodents and can be found mainly in areas of heavy scrub vegetation. The bite of this mite leaves a characteristic black eschar accompanied by fever symptoms. Without proper treatment, the fatality rate is up to 60%, though with antibiotic treatment, the mortality rate can be reduced to less than 5%.
The number of scrub typhus infection starts to climb up during April and May and will reach a peak in July. Health Bureau urges the public try not to enter the scrub vegetation, and if it is inevitable, should wear light-colored long-sleeved clothes and boots and other protective clothing. Also use insect repellents to protect any exposed area of the skin. Moreover, take a bath and wash the clothes thoroughly can reduce the risk of infection. Seek medical treatment immediately for any possible symptom of scrub typhus, and inform the physician any travel history to provide a helpful diagnosis. Finally, keep your environment cleans around the house can help minimize the breeding ground for mites.