At least 45 children and eight adults in Uttar Pradesh’s Firozabad have succumbed to a mysterious dengue-like fever in the past ten days.
It has been more than a week that children of some districts of Uttar Pradesh, like Mathura, Mainpuri are struggling against high fever and dehydration. The most affected place by this fever is Firozabad.
As per the report of ANI, Dr Neeta Kulshrestha (the most senior health official of Firozabad District) said that “The patients, especially children, in hospitals are dying very quickly. This fever resembles Dengue because there are many prevalent symptoms in Dengue and finds its place in this fever.
CM Yogi Adityanath Visits Firozabad and Issues Directions
CM Yogi Adityanath visited autonomous medical government hospitals of Firozabad district to report recent developments related to this fever and issued directions. The CM further ordered Magistrate and his deputy for a detailed investigation into the causes behind this Viral Fever.
Assam has also reported some cases of Scrub Typhus. The COVID-19 hospital at Sarusajai in Guwahati has closed down temporarily by the Assam Health Department for 15 days after recording 29 affected people. The victims include Rajpratim Das, Superintendent of the hospital, few nurses, health workers, and others.
What is Scrub Typhus?
According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this is caused by the bacteria’ Orientia tsutsugamushi’. People get infected by it after getting bit by infected larval mites. Another name for bacterial fever is ‘Bush typhus’.
What are the Symptoms?
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Body Aches
- Rashes
- Muscle Soreness, among others
The location of the chigger bite produces a black, scab-like patch called eschar. The CDC says after contracting the virus, a person may undergo mental changes ranging from disorientation to coma.
Some of the patients also experience joint problems, which is a symptom of chikungunya. The infection can cause respiratory distress, brain and lung inflammation, renal failure, and multi-organ failure and eventually leading to death.
Where has Scrub Typhus been found?
Alongside India, it is present in rural areas of Indonesia, China, Japan and northern Australia.
What is the treatment available for the person affected by the virus?
The antibiotic Doxycycline is the medicine to treat Scrub Typhus. persons of any age can use Doxycycline. If given soon once the symptoms begin, antibiotics are the most effective.
People treated early with Doxycycline usually recovers quickly.
Is there any vaccine available against this virus?
No. There is no vaccine made for the prevention against this virus.
Prevention:
To prevent scrub typhus, the CDC recommends that children wear clothing that covers their arms and legs. And also cover their cot, stroller, and infant carrier with mosquito netting. It also instructed them to treat their clothing and equipment with 0.5 per cent permethrin, which kills chiggers.
