Public advised to take precautions against scrub typhus when cleaning graves during Tomb Sweeping Festival


PublishTime:2013-03-20

As of March 18, 2013, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) have confirmed 42 cases of scrub typhus in Taiwan this year. Since the Tomb Sweeping Festival is upon us, Taiwan CDC would like to remind the public to take precautions against scrub typhus. Scrub typhus transmission occurs most frequently in people visiting chigger-infested areas such as bush areas. Some of the prevention measures for scrub typhus include avoiding unnecessary visits to bush areas, wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, and applying insect repellents to exposed skin to prevent chigger bites when visiting bush areas.

According to Taiwan CDC’s surveillance data, a total of 460 cases of scrub typhus were confirmed in 2012. During 2000 and 2012, all cities and counties in Taiwan reported cases of scrub typhus. In addition, Lianjiang County, Kinmen County, Penghu County, Taitung County reported the most cases. Usually, the number of scrub typhus cases begins to increase during April and May and reaches its peak in July. Therefore, Taiwan CDC urges the public to take prevention measures when visiting bush areas to prevent infection.

 

Scrub typhus is transmitted by chiggers. Chiggers like to stay at the tips of weeds, waiting for an opportunity to attach to passing humans or animals. Therefore, the chance of becoming infected with scrub typhus is much higher when people walk through bush areas. After being bitten by the chigger, an eschar will form over the bite, and the incubation period usually ranges from 9 to 12 days.   Subsequently, symptoms such as fever, headache, conjunctival congestion and swelling or inflammation of the lymph gland will begin to develop. After having had fever for about 1 week, a dark red papule will appear in the trunk, spread to extremities, and disappear after several days. If scrub typhus is not treated properly, its mortality rate can be as high as 60%. If suspicious symptoms develop, please seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your travel history to serve as a reference for clinical diagnosis.

For any questions or further information on scrub typhus, please call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Care Hotline, 1922, or 0800-024582 if calling from a cell phone, or visit the Taiwan CDC’s website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw.