As of June 24, 2013, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) have confirmed 101 cases of scrub typhus in Taiwan this year. Most cases, 27 cases, reside in Taitung County, 20 cases reside in Penghu County and 11 cases reside in Hualien County. The number of cases confirmed in Penghu County has been much higher than that during the same period in the past years. Taiwan CDC advises the public to wear long-sleeve clothing while doing outdoor activities, especially when visiting bush areas, to prevent scrub typhus.

According to statistics compiled by Taiwan CDC, sporadic cases of scrub typhus occur throughout the year. 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. Some of the prevention measures for scrub typhus include wearing protective clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and pants, applying insect repellents to exposed skin to prevent chigger bites, and changing clothes and taking a shower immediately after a visit to the bush area to reduce the risk of infection.

Scrub typhus is transmitted by chiggers. Rodents are primary hosts for 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, sweating 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.