TAG: GS-3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & MISCELLANEOUS
THE CONTEXT: A 75-year-old man from Kerala who recently travelled to Vietnam and Cambodia was diagnosed with the bacterial disease murine typhus.
EXPLANATION:
About Murine Typhus:
- It’s an infectious disease caused by bacteria transmitted to humans via infected fleas, often found on rodents like rats, mice, and mongoose. Other small animals like cats and dogs can also carry infected fleas.
- Murine typhus is an infectious bacterial disease caused by the flea-borne bacteria Rickettsia typhi.
How Does It Spread?
- Flea feces containing the bacteria can infect humans through cuts or mucous membranes. It’s not contagious between people.
Where is it Found?
- It’s common in coastal tropical and subtropical areas with prevalent rodents. In India, cases have been reported in the Northeast, Madhya Pradesh, and Kashmir.
Symptoms:
- Fever, headaches, body and joint pain Nausea, vomiting, stomach aches Skin rash in some cases Symptoms appear 7-14 days post-exposure and can last up to two weeks, with potential for complications if untreated.
- Some people may later develop rashes on the skin, days after the initial symptoms.
Treatment:
- There is no vaccine currently available against the disease.
- The antibiotic doxycycline is considered effective in therapy, but early diagnosis is vital for treatment.
- The antibiotic doxycycline is effective. Early diagnosis is crucial as delayed treatment can cause severe complications or be fatal.
- Transmission can also happen through exposure of mucous membranes to infected flea faeces.
Prevention:
- Regular flea control for pets through washing and treatments Awareness of flea infestations in the home
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