Kerala Girl Succumbs to Scrub Typhus

Kerala: A 15-year-old girl has died of scrub typhus, known as 'chellu pani' in local parlance, in Kerala's Varkala.

The deceased was identified as Ashwathy, who was awaiting results for her 10th standard examination, panchayat authorities said on Thursday.

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A native of Cherunniyoor, a hamlet located over 40 kms away from here, the girl died at a hospital last evening, they said.

Following the death, Health Minister Veena George directed a special medical team to visit her native place and the hospital to where she was admitted to immediately.

The village officer in Cherunniyoor has already visited the place and collected primary details in this regard, the Minister said in a statement here.

''A special team, led by the district medical officer will visit the areas in Cherunniyoor and Parippally Medical College,'' she said, adding that steps would be taken to strengthen guard in the area and destroy the ticks.

The health department has advised people to cover their body when playing or working in sand reports TNIE. 

What is Scrub Typhus?

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites).

The most common symptoms of scrub typhus include fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes rash. Antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin but a late or wrong diagnosis can lead to liver or renal failure, circulatory collapse and even death.

The cheapest and most easily available serological test is the Weil-Felix (WF) test. The WF test has a high specificity but a low sensitivity and is based on the detection of antibodies.

Globally, over one billion people are at risk for scrub typhus and an estimated one million cases occur annually.  

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