Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh government has issued an alert and asked for all mandatory preparation after five districts reported cases of Scrub Typhus- a Rickettsial infection caused by the bacteria Orientia tsutsugamushi-in the state. The health department has also issued guidelines for the treatment. So far, the cases have been reported in Raisen, Narsinghpur, Satna, Damoh and Katni in the state.
Medical Education Minister Vishwas Sarang assured people that the government is capable of providing treatment for such disease however, people should take proper precautions as the disease vigorously spread between July to December.
Scrub typhus is transmitted by some species of trombiculid mites -known as berry bugs, harvest mites, red bugs or scrub-itch mites -found in areas of heavy scrub vegetation. The mites feed on infected rodents -mice, rats, squirrels, prairie dogs, porcupines- hosts and subsequently transmit the parasite to other rodents and humans. The bite of this mite leaves a characteristic black eschar that is useful to the doctor for making the diagnosis.
The infected people will suffer mild fever, headache, muscle pain, cough, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
The guidelines issued by the government regarding the doses of the medicine are as follows:
- Adults: Doxycillin 200 mg daily with Azithromycin 500 mg (at least five days)
- Children: Doxycillin 4.5 mg daily, Azithromycin 10 mg (five days)
- Pregnant women - Azithromycin 500 mg (minimum five days)
Speaking on the coronavirus vaccination, Sarang stated that an action plan has been prepared so that every citizen can receive the first dose of the vaccine by September 30. Mahavaccination campaign will be run on 17th September and door-to-door vaccines will be administered through mobile vans he added.
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