Scrub typhus alert issued in Kozhikode after woman’s death

The Health department has issued an alert against scrub typhus in Kozhikode following the death of a woman from Ward 10 (Pavu Vayal) in Koyilandy municipality.

Officials said the woman died while undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH), Kozhikode, and her samples later tested positive for scrub typhus. Following the confirmation, health and municipal authorities tightened preventive measures. The surroundings of the deceased patient’s residence were cleaned, and samples were collected from rats for testing.

Health department authorities urged people to exercise caution. The disease, caused by a bacterium called Orientia tsutsugamushi, does not spread from person to person. It spreads to humans through the bites of infected chiggers, the larval stage of mites.

Bites from chiggers, mites

People usually contract the disease when bitten by chiggers present on animals such as rats, squirrels, rabbits, mongooses and other small animals. As disease-carrying mites are increasingly entering human habitats, cases are being reported even among people with no direct link to forests or agricultural activities, officials said.

After a chigger mite bite, it usually takes about 10 to 12 days for symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle pain, and redness of the eyes to appear. The bite site initially appears as a small red raised spot and later develops into a black scab (eschar). In some cases, scrub typhus may occur without such visible lesions. If the disease is not diagnosed early and treated properly, the risk of complications is high, health authorities warned.

The Health department urged people to carry out rodent control measures and ensure environmental sanitation by clearing overgrown bushes and grassy areas. Those visiting grasslands or forested areas were advised to wear clothing that covers the arms and legs, along with gloves and footwear, and to apply mite repellents. After returning home, take a bath and wash and dry the clothes worn that day.