In October 2025, Maharashtra’s Yavatmal district has reported an alarming 58 confirmed cases of scrub typhus and 2 deaths in the last 2 months. Health authorities have now urged rural residents, particularly farmers and field workers to be cautious during outdoor work.
What is scrub Typhus?
It is a bacterial infection caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi. It spreads through the bite of tiny infected mites, often found in grassy, bushy or wooded areas. The illness is often misdiagnosed because it’s early symptoms resemble viral fevers or dengue.
Common symptoms:
- sudden high fever
- headaches
- muscle pain
- rash or scab at the site of the bite ( called eschar)
- fatigue and nausea
- in severe cases: confusion, difficulty in breathing and organ failure
Why cases are rising:
- increased exposure to mite infested vegetation during agricultural work
- warmer and humid weather, that facilitate mite survival
- low awareness in rural areas
- limited testing facilities
How to stay safe:
- wear protective clothing
- use insect repellent
- clear any vegetation around homes or farms
- avoid sitting or lying on grass
- seek early medical care if any viral symptoms persist.
Scrub typhus may sound like a rare disease, but it is silently affecting many parts of India every year. Immediate testing, screening of all fever cases and prophylactic measures are now being taken by the district authorities in Yavatmal for rapid diagnosis, prevention and treatment.
MBH/PS