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Q.

 In context of ‘Scrub Typhus’, which of the statements given below is/are correct?

1. It is a disease caused by a bacterium and it spreads to people through bites of infected chiggers.

2. Antibiotics are most effective form of medicine to cure this disease.

3. Recently, a special vaccine has been developed for its prevention by the Department of Biotechnology.

Select the correct answer using codes given below:
Explanation:

ANSWER: (B)

  • Statement 1 is correct.

Scrub typhus is a disease caused by a bacteria called Orientia tsutsugamushi. It is also known as bush typhus. It is spread to people through bites of infected chiggers (larval mites). According to National Health Portal (NHP), scrub typhus is prevalent in many parts of India, including outbreaks in the sub-Himalayan belt, from Jammu to Nagaland. In 2003-04 and 2007, there were reports of outbreaks in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Darjeeling.

Some of the common symptoms are fever, headache, body aches, and sometimes, rash. One may also notice a “dark, scab-like region at the site of the chigger bite”, mental changes ranging from confusion to coma or enlarged lymph nodes, says Dr Chafle. “People with severe illness may develop organ failure and bleeding, which can be fatal if left untreated,” the doctor adds.

  • Statement 2 is correct.

Antibiotics are most effective if given soon after symptoms begin, says the doctor. “Scrub typhus should be treated with the antibiotic doxycycline. Doxycycline can be used in persons of any age. People who are treated early with doxycycline usually recover quickly.”

  • Statement 3 is not correct.

No vaccine is available to prevent scrub typhus.

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