The temperature is falling in some parts of Thailand. For you people who like cold weather and plan to head up to the mountainous North, please beware of scrub typhus.
Scrub typhus may occur after people are exposed to areas with vegetation where rodents live. The disorder is transmitted through the bite of mites that live on rodents, thereby causing an infection.
This mite-borne infectious disease is prevalent in northern and northeastern areas of Thailand during the rainy season and when the weather is cool.
About 10-12 days after being bitten by infected mites, travellers may develop a fever. They may be also experience headaches, muscle pain, cough, rash and red eyes. If they exhibit these symptoms, they should seek professional help immediately. And they should make sure that their healthcare providers are informed that they have travelled to a region where scrub typhus may be present.
One of the most important symptoms that may be useful for doctors in diagnosing the disease is black eschar, which looks like a cigarette burn, on the area that was bitten.
Some patients unfortunately get complications associated with the disease that can lead to death. These complications include inflammation of lung tissue, an acute inflammation of the brain and inflammation of the heart.
According to the Bureau of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, under the Ministry of Public Health, from January to early November this year some 7,412 patients with scrub typhus have been reported and four of them died.
While there is no vaccine available against scrub typhus, the disorder fortunately can be treated using antibiotics. However, if the disease is left untreated properly, it may be fatal in severe cases.
To ward off the disease, travellers should choose a safe area for camping. Avoid any place close to rodent burrows and never handle sick and dead animals. Also camp clear of vegetation.
Dr Niphon Popattanachai, director- general of the Department of Medical Sciences, under the Ministry of Public Health, advised travellers to wear clothes to cover their body. They are recommended to wear long sleeves and long pants along with socks and shoes (rather than sandals) to protect against insect bites. The Department of Medical Sciences has developed a diagnostic testing kit to help tackle scrub typhus more effectively, while providing patients with the fastest possible access to treatment.
_ Sukhumaporn Laiyok
