Doctors warn of scrub typhus spread in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: Scrub typhus, a mite-borne disease, is increasingly being reported in the city, with Niloufer Hospital receiving several cases in recent days.
Children most affected by scrub typhus infections
Doctors said a few children are currently undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit. The infection, commonly seen in hilly regions, is now spreading in urban areas. It thrives in old mattresses, blankets, pillows, damp corners and areas with garbage. When the mite bites, a black spot develops on the skin, followed by fever lasting up to seven days.
Doctors said the illness resembles dengue, with severe muscle pain, headache and digestive issues. “In most cases, the disease responds to standard antibiotics. But in some children, ICU support is required,” a senior doctor said.
If treatment is delayed, scrub typhus can lead to multi-organ failure and coma, doctors warned. They advised families to maintain clean surroundings, discard old bedding and ensure children wear clothes covering arms and legs.
Samples from suspected cases are being sent to the Institute of Preventive Medicine at Narayanguda. Initially, doctors recommend NS1 and IgM (ELISA) tests for dengue along with the Weil-Felix test to detect typhus.
