Medical expert sounds alert, moots timely treatment Scrub Typhus haunts Ukhrul
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 16, 2012: Recalling the unknown disease that broke out at Bishnupur district in 2008/2009 and which claimed a number of lives, a medical expert has sounded an alert that the disease is now stalking the populace of Ukhrul district.

Talking to The Sangai Express, the medical expert, a doctor, who preferred anonymity said that the disease is scientifically known as Scrub Typhus and added that he himself has personally come across around 20 such cases from Ukhrul district.

The patient can be cured easily, but the catch word is early detection, he said and added that the school girl who recently passed away in Ukhrul is a case in point.

"Many patients undergo testing for malaria and typhoid, but seldom undergo the test to detect Scrub Typhus." said the doctor and added that since the tests for malaria and typhoid return negative, the patients are thought to be suffering from viral fever.

The symptoms are similar to malaria, typhoid and viral fever, he said but added that patients suffering from Scrub Typhus typically carry a scar.

The scar is caused by the bite of an insect, he said and added that it is important for the patient to inform the doctor of the presence of such a scar.

Domestic animals are the host carrier of these insects whose bite causes Scrub Typhus, he added.

The test for Scrub Typhus is a simple procedure, he said and added that suspected patients should undergo the Rapid Scrub Antibody Test.

The result can be known in a matter of some minutes, he said and added that once this is confirmed, the treatment can start with Toxycyclin drugs, which is fairly cheap and affordable.

With the right treatment and at the right time, recovery rate is as high as 98 percent, said the doctor and added that recovery process can start within 48 hours of the right medication.

Around 50 such cases were also reported from Senapati this year, he said and added that a medical awareness camp held at the said district went a long way in effectively treating the patients Awareness programme on the disease may be held at Ukhrul district, he suggested.

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