After death of five persons, the Sub-Divisional Officer (C) of Noklak district has issued a Scrub Typhus alert in Noklak and informed the public to remain vigilant and report any symptoms to the Community Health Centre (CHC) of Noklak.

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Noklak, a new district upgraded from Noklak sub-division under earlier Tuensang district, has collected the data from CHC Noklak for improving water quality and controlling vector borne diseases has shown an alarming 618 positive scrub typhus cases since January 2020, while five persons have succumbed as per official record available, the SDC (C) informed, official sources said.

He further stated that many are suspected to have succumbed due to Scrub Typhus related health problem, particularly in the villages. The SDO (C) also asked the public to be extra alert about COVID-19 to ensure that norms for controlling COVID-19 are strictly enforced across all the villages in the district.

Scrub typhus, also known as bush typhus, is a disease caused by bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. Scrub typhus is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). After an incubation period of 6 to 21 days (mean 10 to 12 days), symptoms of scrub typhus start suddenly and include fever, chills, headache, and generalized lymphadenopathy. At the onset of fever, an eschar often develops at the site of the chigger bite. The typical lesion of scrub typhus, common in whites but rare in Asians, begins as a red, indurated lesion about 1 cm in diameter; it eventually vesiculates, ruptures, and becomes covered with a black scab. Regional lymph nodes enlarge.

Fever rises during the 1st week; often to 40 to 40.5°C. Headache is severe and common, as is conjunctival injection. A macular rash develops on the trunk during the 5th to 8th day of fever, often extending to the arms and legs. It may disappear rapidly or become maculopapular and intensely colored. Cough is present during the 1st week of fever, and pneumonitis may develop during the 2nd week. In severe cases, pulse rate increases; blood pressure drops; and delirium, stupor, and muscular twitching develop. In untreated patients, high fever may persist for 2nd weeks, then falls gradually over several days. With therapy, defervescence usually begins within 36 hours. Recovery is prompt and uneventful.