Scrub Typhus: The Hidden Fever Epidemic Affecting India's Rural Heartland

Scrub typhus, a potentially fatal infection spread by chiggers, is often overlooked as a major cause of hospitalisation in rural India. A study by Indian and UK institutions highlights its prevalence and calls for improved diagnostics. The infection is treatable but under-recognised in fever cases.

Scrub typhus, a life-threatening infection transmitted by chigger bites, affects around a tenth of rural residents in India annually, a recent study suggests. Often misdiagnosed, it stands as a leading cause of hospitalisations for fever, according to research by the Christian Medical College, Vellore, and London's School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

The comprehensive study examined over 32,000 individuals in Tamil Nadu's 37 rural villages, revealing that the infection, though treatable, is frequently overlooked. Results published in the New England Journal of Medicine underscore the urgent need for improved diagnostic facilities in rural healthcare settings.

Known to cause severe complications such as Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome and kidney failure, scrub typhus poses a significant threat in rural Asia. Researchers urge heightened awareness and better diagnostic tools to manage the infection more effectively and reduce unnecessary hospitalisations.

(With inputs from agencies.)