Scrub Typhus in India: A Critical Commentary

Abstract

Scrub typhus in India, although, dates back to World War II, was nearly forgotten barring occasional reporting of outbreaks from the Indian Armed Forces, which kept the interest alive in the disease. Scrub typhus at that time was considered a formidable foe. It was credited with inflicting heavy casualties amongst troops in the China-Burma-India operational corridor, which forced the commanders to withdraw troops from these areas. This tended to alter the course of the war itself. An old foe indeed; scrub typhus continues to take a heavy toll on the vulnerable Armed Forces personnel who are posted in areas that enhance their vulnerability to the disease and has predictably also impacted the unsuspecting civil population too who are residing in such areas. Scrub typhus has undoubtedly emerged as a major public health challenge in India. Slow, yet steady, appreciation of the impact of scrub typhus though is being felt, however, professional efforts are still dismal and have failed to bring the disease to limelight and contain its insistent march. Scrub typhus, although an old foe, has reemerged albeit with new challenges.