In Taiwan, the number of scrub typhus cases reported usually begins to increase during April and May, which coincides with the Tomb Sweeping Festival long weekend. The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) would like to remind the public to take precautions against scrub typhus when visiting chigger-infested areas such as bush areas. To prevent chigger bites, the public is advised to wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts and pants, apply officially approved insect repellents to exposed skin, and change clothes and take a shower immediately after a visit to the bush area.

According to Taiwan CDC’s surveillance data, as of March 30, 2017, a total of 70 scrub typhus cases have been confirmed in Taiwan this year, including 28 cases in Hualien County, 11 cases in Taitung County and 6 cases in Pingtung County, which is the highest among the same period during the recent 5 years (2013-2017).　Thus far this year, Pingtung County has reported more cases as compared to the same period in the past two years. In addition, two clusters of cases have been recently reported in tour group members who respectively visited the mountain.

Scrub typhus is a disease that 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, a painless eschar will form over the bite, and the incubation period usually ranges from 9 to 12 days. Subsequently, symptoms such as persistent 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 left untreated, the fatality rate of scrub typhus can be as high as 60%.

Taiwan CDC urges the public to take prevention measures when sweeping tombs and visiting bush areas to ward off infection. Some of the prevention measures 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. If suspicious symptoms such as persistent fever, headache and eschar develop, please seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of your travel and exposure history to serve as a reference for clinical diagnosis. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov.tw or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922 (or 0800-001922).