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OUTBREAK OF SCRUB TYPHUS IN MEWAR REGION

Scrub typhus is a zoonotic disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium. It is transmitted via the larval stage of trombiculid mites (chigger, a primary reservoir)1. It is prevalent across southern and eastern India including Rajasthan. This study reports the outbreak of scrub typhus in Mewar region of Rajasthan in 2019. Methods: 50 scrub typhus patients were studied at Geetanjali Medical College and Hospital, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Scrub typhus was diagnosed by enzyme linked immunoassay for scrub typhus along with routine blood tests, and ultrasonography of abdomen. Results: In our study, fever was the most common symptom seen in all patients (100%), followed by breathlessness (80%) and the most common sign is jaundice (76.6%). Two thirds of the patients had multi-system involvement. 4 deaths occurred in the study. Conclusion: Our study denotes the emergence of scrub typhus in Mewar region presenting as acute febrile illness with or without eschar. It should be considered as a differential diagnosis with high index of suspicion for acute febrile illness in patients from this region, as early diagnosis and intervention may reduce mortality.